Risk Disclosure & Disclaimer

1. Purpose of this Disclaimer

This Risk Disclosure & Disclaimer explains the nature of the services provided by Sandton Index (Pty) Ltd ("Sandton Index", "we", "us", or "our"), the risks associated with participating on the platform, and the limitations of our responsibilities and liabilities.

By registering an account, completing identity verification, obtaining membership, accessing the marketplace, submitting a project, expressing interest in a project, requesting an introduction, communicating with another user, or using any service provided through the Sandton Index platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted this Risk Disclosure & Disclaimer.

2. Nature of the Platform

Sandton Index is a project verification, networking, and capital introduction platform.

Sandton Index facilitates introductions between verified project owners, entrepreneurs, businesses, strategic partners, and capital partners.

Sandton Index does not:

• Provide loans.
• Provide banking services.
• Provide financial products.
• Provide investment products.
• Accept deposits.
• Guarantee funding.
• Guarantee project success.
• Guarantee returns.
• Act as a financial institution.
• Act as a crowdfunding platform.
• Act as a securities exchange.
• Act as an investment adviser.
• Act as an asset manager.
• Act as a broker or dealer.
• Act as a guarantor of any transaction.

All commercial decisions are made independently by users.

3. No Investment Advice

Nothing on the Sandton Index platform constitutes:

• Financial advice;
• Investment advice;
• Portfolio advice;
• Wealth management advice;
• Securities recommendations;
• Asset allocation recommendations; or
• Advice regulated under any applicable financial services legislation.

Any information displayed on the platform is provided for informational purposes only.

Users are solely responsible for evaluating opportunities and making independent decisions.

4. No Financial Services Relationship

Registration on the platform, payment of verification fees, payment of membership fees, submission of projects, or participation in introductions does not create:

• A financial adviser-client relationship;
• A broker-client relationship;
• A fiduciary relationship;
• An agency relationship; or
• Any regulated financial services relationship between Sandton Index and any user.

5. No Legal Advice

Sandton Index does not provide legal advice.

Users must obtain independent legal advice before:

• Entering investment agreements;
• Entering joint venture agreements;
• Entering shareholder agreements;
• Entering funding agreements;
• Purchasing shares;
• Issuing shares;
• Transferring shares; or
• Entering any legally binding arrangement.

Any future legal support services made available through the platform shall remain subject to separate service terms.

6. No Tax Advice

Sandton Index does not provide tax advice.

Users are solely responsible for obtaining professional tax advice regarding:

• Investments;
• Capital gains;
• Dividends;
• Shareholding structures;
• Corporate transactions;
• Funding arrangements; and
• Any applicable tax obligations.

7. No Accounting Advice

Sandton Index does not provide accounting, auditing, valuation, bookkeeping, or assurance services.

Financial information presented on the platform should not be interpreted as independently audited, certified, or verified unless expressly stated otherwise.

8. Verification Limitations

Sandton Index may conduct identity verification, project verification, document reviews, and other screening processes.

Verification does not constitute:

• An endorsement;
• A recommendation;
• A guarantee;
• A certification of quality;
• A certification of profitability; or
• A guarantee of legitimacy.

Verification is intended only to improve marketplace integrity.

Users remain responsible for conducting their own independent investigations.

9. Project Risks

All projects involve risk. Projects may:

• Fail to secure funding;
• Experience delays;
• Exceed budgets;
• Encounter legal disputes;
• Face operational challenges;
• Fail to generate projected revenue;
• Fail to generate projected profit; or
• Fail entirely.

Past performance, projections, forecasts, and business plans do not guarantee future outcomes.

10. Capital Partner Risks

Capital Partners acknowledge that:

• Capital may be partially or fully lost.
• Projects may underperform expectations.
• Returns may be lower than anticipated.
• No return may be generated.
• Opportunities may not proceed to completion.
• Project operators may encounter financial distress.
• Economic conditions may negatively affect outcomes.

All funding and investment decisions are undertaken entirely at the Capital Partner's own risk.

11. Entrepreneur and Project Owner Risks

Project Owners acknowledge that:

• Funding is not guaranteed.
• Investor interest is not guaranteed.
• Introductions are not guaranteed.
• Strategic partnerships are not guaranteed.
• Commercial negotiations may fail.
• Investors may withdraw at any stage.
• Due diligence processes may identify concerns that prevent funding.

Sandton Index is not responsible for unsuccessful fundraising efforts.

12. Independent Due Diligence Requirement

All users must conduct their own independent due diligence.

Users should obtain professional advice where appropriate, including from:

• Attorneys;
• Accountants;
• Auditors;
• Corporate finance advisers;
• Tax practitioners;
• Engineers;
• Quantity surveyors;
• Industry specialists; and
• Other qualified professionals.

No user should rely solely upon information displayed on the platform.

13. No Funding Guarantee

Sandton Index does not guarantee that any project will:

• Obtain funding;
• Secure an investor;
• Secure a strategic partner;
• Reach financial close;
• Complete successfully; or
• Generate any return.

The platform provides opportunities for introductions only.

14. No Investor Guarantee

Sandton Index does not guarantee that any Capital Partner:

• Possesses sufficient funds;
• Will proceed with a transaction;
• Will maintain interest in a project;
• Will enter negotiations; or
• Will complete a transaction.

All engagements remain subject to independent commercial negotiations.

15. Marketplace Information Disclaimer

Project descriptions, financial forecasts, business plans, presentations, and supporting documents are generally supplied by users.

Sandton Index does not guarantee:

• Accuracy;
• Completeness;
• Reliability;
• Timeliness; or
• Suitability of information.

Users are responsible for validating all information before relying upon it.

16. Technology Risks

Users acknowledge that online platforms may experience:

• Downtime;
• Service interruptions;
• System failures;
• Connectivity issues;
• Cybersecurity incidents;
• Data transmission errors;
• Software defects; and
• Third-party service interruptions.

Sandton Index does not guarantee uninterrupted platform availability.

17. Third-Party Services

The platform may integrate with or reference third-party providers including:

• Payment processors;
• Identity verification services;
• Communication providers;
• Video conferencing services;
• Cloud infrastructure providers;
• Government databases; and
• Corporate service providers.

Sandton Index is not responsible for the actions, omissions, services, availability, or performance of third-party providers.

18. Future Services

From time to time Sandton Index may offer additional services including:

• Meeting facilitation;
• Boardroom facilities;
• Virtual meeting hosting;
• Transaction administration;
• Shareholding administration support;
• Corporate administration services;
• Due diligence coordination;
• Professional referrals;
• Project monitoring services; and
• Other marketplace support services.

The availability of such services shall not alter the risk allocation contained in this Disclaimer unless expressly stated in separate written terms.

19. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Sandton Index, its directors, officers, shareholders, employees, contractors, affiliates, and service providers shall not be liable for:

• Direct losses;
• Indirect losses;
• Consequential losses;
• Incidental losses;
• Special damages;
• Loss of profits;
• Loss of revenue;
• Loss of business opportunities;
• Loss of goodwill;
• Loss of data; or
• Loss arising from transactions between users.

Users assume full responsibility for decisions made through the platform.

20. User Indemnity

Users agree to indemnify and hold harmless Sandton Index and its officers, employees, contractors, affiliates, and representatives from any claim, loss, damage, liability, expense, or legal cost arising from:

• User conduct;
• User submissions;
• User communications;
• User transactions;
• Breach of platform policies;
• Violation of applicable laws; or
• Disputes between users.

21. Regulatory Compliance

Users remain solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, licensing requirements, reporting obligations, tax obligations, and corporate governance requirements associated with their activities.

Sandton Index does not assume responsibility for any user's regulatory compliance obligations.

22. Governing Law

This Risk Disclosure & Disclaimer shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Any dispute arising from or relating to this Disclaimer shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts of South Africa.

23. Amendments

Sandton Index may amend this Risk Disclosure & Disclaimer from time to time.

Updated versions will be published on the platform and become effective upon publication unless otherwise stated.

Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of any updated version.

24. Contact Information

For legal enquiries relating to this Risk Disclosure & Disclaimer: