Legal
Effective May 11, 2026 · Last Updated May 11, 2026
These Terms of Service govern your use of the Crowd & Courage platform, operated by Gray Group International under the Crowd & Courage brand. By creating an account, submitting a Courage Contract, or otherwise using the Platform, you agree to these Terms in full. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.
01 — What the Service Is
Crowd & Courage is an accountability bond platform. It lets business operators (“Makers”) make a public, time-bound commitment to a measurable goal, stake money in escrow behind that commitment, and receive an automated pass/fail verdict at the deadline based on verified data.
Plain English:You set a goal, put your own money on the line, and the platform checks whether you hit it. If you hit the goal, your stake is returned. If you miss it, your stake is forfeited to a designated charity partner. No one else's money is at risk. No one profits from your failure except a charity.
What this is not
02 — Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using the Platform, you represent that you have read and understood these Terms, you meet the eligibility requirements in Section 3, and you agree to be legally bound by these Terms and all policies incorporated by reference, including our Privacy Policy. If you are using the Platform on behalf of a business entity, you represent that you have authority to bind that entity.
03 — Eligibility
To use the Platform you must:
We may require identity and business verification before activating your account. Providing false information is grounds for immediate termination.
04 — Contract Creation
A Courage Contract is a formal commitment you submit through the Platform. Creating one means you agree to the following:
You choose the goal.
The goal must be specific, measurable, and verifiable through a supported data source (Stripe revenue data, QuickBooks financials, or another verified integration). Vague goals are not eligible.
You choose the deadline.
The deadline is the date by which the goal must be met. The system checks the verified data at or after that date.
You choose the stake.
The amount you commit to escrow is your choice. By submitting the contract, you authorize Stripe to place those funds in escrow.
You choose the charity.
You designate one of the Platform's verified charity partners to receive your stake in the event of a miss verdict. You may not designate yourself, your business, or any related entity.
You authorize data access.
By creating a contract, you authorize the Platform to request read-only access to the relevant data source at the time of outcome verification. We access your account once, at verification — not continuously.
You understand the contract is final.
Once submitted and the origination fee is charged, the contract cannot be cancelled, modified, paused, or extended. See Section 7.
05 — Escrow and Payments
Stripe is the custodian.
All staked funds are held by Stripe, Inc. Crowd & Courage is not a money transmitter. We instruct Stripe to release or capture funds based on verified outcomes. We do not hold those funds in our own accounts.
5% origination fee.
When you submit a contract, C&C charges a 5% platform origination fee on the staked amount. This fee is charged at creation, is non-refundable regardless of outcome, and compensates for platform services — it is not a financial instrument.
Stake held until settlement.
Your staked funds (less the origination fee) remain in Stripe's escrow from contract creation until the outcome verdict is issued and confirmed.
Payment processing.
By using the Platform, you agree to Stripe's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. We do not store full payment card data — Stripe handles payment security and PCI compliance.
06 — Outcome Verification
At or after the contract deadline, the Platform queries the authorized data source to retrieve the relevant metric. The system compares that figure against the contract goal and issues a HIT or MISS verdict.
Verified integration data is authoritative. Self-reported data, screenshots, or alternative documentation are not accepted as substitutes, except where explicitly pre-approved in writing by C&C.
If a data source is unavailable or returns ambiguous data at verification time, C&C will make reasonable efforts to verify through alternative means within 30 days. If that is not possible, the stake is returned to the Maker in full. C&C is not liable for data source failures beyond returning the stake.
07 — No Cancellation and No Modification
Once a Courage Contract is filed and the origination fee is collected, the contract is irrevocable.
This irrevocability is the core mechanic of the Platform. By accepting these Terms, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and specifically agreed to this provision. The only exception is account termination by C&C for ToS violations, in which case staked funds are returned in full.
08 — Forfeiture
If the Platform issues a MISS verdict and it is confirmed after any dispute window, your staked funds are transferred to the charity partner you designated at contract creation.
Crowd & Courage receives no portion of forfeited stakes.The Platform's only revenue is the 5% origination fee charged at contract creation. Forfeited funds go entirely to the designated charity.
Charity partners are 501(c)(3) organizations verified by C&C. We maintain a list of eligible partners. The tax treatment of forfeited stakes is not determined by C&C — consult a qualified tax adviser.
09 — Dispute Resolution (Verdict Disputes)
If you believe the Platform's outcome verdict is factually incorrect — meaning the connected data source returned data that does not accurately reflect your actual performance — you may file a dispute.
7-day window. You have 7 calendar days from the verdict date to file a dispute.
How to file. Email legal@crowdandcourage.com with your contract ID, a description of the alleged error, and supporting documentation.
Human review. A C&C team member will review your dispute within 10 business days.
Decision is final. After human review, C&C's decision is binding. Disputes about the goal definition — not the underlying data — are not eligible.
10 — Limitation of Liability
If C&C makes an error in the verification process, our maximum liability is limited to returning the staked funds. We are not liable for third-party data source failures beyond that same remedy.
In no event will C&C, Gray Group International, or their officers, directors, employees, or agents be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages — including lost profits, business interruption, or loss of data — even if advised of the possibility.
C&C's total cumulative liability to you is capped at the lesser of (a) the origination fee you paid for the relevant contract or (b) $500.
11 — Disclaimers
Nothing on the Platform constitutes financial advice, investment advice, or legal advice.
Crowd & Courage is not registered as a broker-dealer, investment adviser, or financial institution of any kind.
Courage Contracts are not securities. No interest in any securities, fund, or financial instrument is created or transferred.
No one takes a position for or against your contract on this Platform during the alpha period.
The Platform is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind.
12 — Intellectual Property
The Platform, including its design, software, trademarks, and all proprietary content created by C&C, is owned by Gray Group International. You receive no license to use C&C's intellectual property beyond what is needed to use the Platform as intended.
You retain ownership of content you submit to the Platform. By submitting content, you grant C&C a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to display and store that content in connection with operating the Platform. This license ends when your account is deleted, except for content included in aggregated, anonymized datasets.
13 — Privacy
Your use of the Platform is governed by our Privacy Policy. By using the Platform, you agree to the collection and use of your information as described there.
14 — Termination
C&C may suspend or terminate your account at any time if you violate these Terms, provide false information, attempt to manipulate the verification process, or engage in conduct harmful to the Platform or its users.
If C&C terminates your account while you have an active Courage Contract, we will return your staked funds in full. The origination fee is non-refundable.
You may request account deletion at any time by contacting legal@crowdandcourage.com. You may not close your account while a contract is active — the contract runs to completion regardless.
15 — Governing Law and Arbitration
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to conflict-of-laws rules.
For disputes over $500, both parties agree to resolve disputes through binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules, rather than in court. Arbitration takes place in Clark County, Nevada (or remotely, by agreement). The arbitrator's decision is final and enforceable.
Either party may bring a claim in small claims court for disputes within that court's jurisdiction.
Class action waiver.To the fullest extent permitted by law, you waive any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration against C&C.
16 — General
Entire agreement. These Terms and the Privacy Policy are the complete agreement between you and C&C.
Severability. If any provision is found invalid, the remaining provisions continue in full force.
No waiver. Failure to enforce any right is not a waiver of that right.
Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without written consent. C&C may assign to any affiliate or successor.
Modifications. We may update these Terms at any time with 30 days' advance notice of material changes.
17 — Contact
Legal inquiries: legal@crowdandcourage.com
General support: support@crowdandcourage.com
These Terms do not constitute legal advice. If you have questions about the legal implications of participating in an accountability bond, consult a qualified attorney in your jurisdiction.