Terms of Service

For purposes of these Terms, the following definitions apply:

• "Platform" means the Discuno website, application, and related services.
• "Mentor" means a verified user with a .edu email address offering mentorship services through the Platform.
• "Mentee" means a user booking and receiving mentorship sessions through the Platform.
• "User" means any individual accessing or using the Platform, including Mentors, Mentees, and visitors.
• "Content" means text, images, profiles, posts, reviews, and any other materials posted on the Platform.
• "Session" means a scheduled mentorship meeting between a Mentor and Mentee.

By accessing or using Discuno ("the Platform", "we", "us", or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not use the Platform.

Discuno is a peer-to-peer mentorship platform that connects students ("Mentees") with experienced mentors ("Mentors"). These Terms govern your use of the Platform, whether as a Mentor, Mentee, or visitor.

To use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age or the age of majority in your jurisdiction
• For Mentors: Have a valid .edu email address from an accredited educational institution
• Provide accurate, complete, and current information during registration
• Maintain the security of your account credentials and be responsible for all activities under your account
• Comply with all applicable laws and regulations

We reserve the right to refuse service, terminate accounts, or remove content at our sole discretion.

3.1 Account Creation: You may create an account using your university email, Google, Microsoft, or other supported authentication methods. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.

3.2 Account Verification: Mentors must verify their identity through their .edu email address. We may request additional verification at any time.

3.3 Account Security: You must immediately notify us of any unauthorized use of your account. We are not liable for any loss or damage arising from your failure to protect your account credentials.

3.4 Account Termination: You may terminate your account at any time through your account settings. We may suspend or terminate your account for violation of these Terms, fraudulent activity, or any other reason at our discretion.

4.1 Mentor Responsibilities: As a Mentor, you agree to:

• Provide accurate information about your expertise and experience
• Conduct sessions professionally and respectfully
• Honor scheduled sessions or provide reasonable notice of cancellation
• Not share contact information for the purpose of circumventing the Platform
• Comply with all applicable laws, including tax obligations
• Not engage in any inappropriate, discriminatory, or harmful behavior toward Mentees

4.2 Mentor Payments: Mentors set their own rates. Payments are processed through Stripe Connect. You must maintain an active Stripe account to receive payments. Platform fees are deducted from each session payment as described in Section 6.

4.3 Mentor Reviews: Mentees may leave reviews and ratings. Reviews must be honest and accurate. We reserve the right to remove reviews that violate our policies.

5.1 Booking Sessions: Mentees can browse Mentor profiles and book sessions through the Platform. By booking a session, you agree to pay the listed price.

5.2 Mentee Responsibilities: As a Mentee, you agree to:

• Attend scheduled sessions on time or provide reasonable notice of cancellation
• Treat Mentors with respect and professionalism
• Use the Platform for legitimate mentorship purposes only
• Not record sessions without explicit consent from the Mentor

5.3 Session Conduct: Sessions are conducted through video conferencing platforms of the Mentor's choice. We are not responsible for technical issues with third-party platforms.

6.1 Payment Processing: All payments are processed securely through Stripe. By using the Platform, you agree to Stripe's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

6.2 Platform Fees: Discuno charges a platform fee on each transaction. The fee structure is as follows:

• Platform retains a percentage of each session payment
• Stripe processing fees are deducted separately
• Fee percentages are subject to change with 30 days notice

6.3 Payout Schedule: Mentor payments are held for a 7-day dispute period after session completion, then automatically transferred to your connected Stripe account.

6.4 Taxes: You are responsible for all applicable taxes. Mentors are independent contractors and must report their earnings for tax purposes.

6.5 Currency: All transactions are processed in USD unless otherwise specified.

7.1 Cancellation Policy:

• Cancellations made 24+ hours before the session: Full refund to the Mentee
• Cancellations made less than 24 hours before: No refund unless exceptional circumstances
• Mentor no-shows: Full refund to the Mentee, potential account action against Mentor
• Mentee no-shows: Payment released to Mentor after 15-minute grace period

7.2 Refund Process: Approved refunds are processed within 5-10 business days to the original payment method.

7.3 Disputes: If you have an issue with a session, contact us within 48 hours at support@discuno.com. We will review the situation and make a determination at our sole discretion.

8.1 User Content: You retain ownership of content you post (profile information, reviews, posts, etc.). By posting content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your content on the Platform.

8.2 Platform Content: The Platform, including its design, features, text, graphics, logos, and software, is owned by Discuno and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

8.3 Prohibited Content: You may not post content that:

• Is illegal, harmful, threatening, abusive, or discriminatory
• Infringes intellectual property rights
• Contains malware or malicious code
• Is spam or unsolicited advertising
• Violates others' privacy or impersonates others

Your privacy is important to us. Our Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using the Platform, you consent to our data practices as described in the Privacy Policy.

We use analytics services (PostHog) to improve our Platform. We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

Data Retention: We retain user data only as long as necessary to provide the Platform, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. When you delete your account, we will delete or anonymize your personal information within 30 days, except where we are required to retain it for legal, tax, or regulatory purposes.

10.1 Platform Provided "As Is": The Platform is provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding the Platform's operation or content.

10.2 No Guarantee of Results: We do not guarantee any specific outcomes from mentorship sessions. Mentors are independent contractors, not our employees.

10.3 Third-Party Services: We are not responsible for third-party services (Stripe, Cal.com, video conferencing platforms) or their availability.

10.4 Limitation of Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, Discuno shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly.

10.5 Maximum Liability: Our total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of the Platform shall not exceed the amount you paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Discuno, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any law or third-party rights
• Your use of the Platform
• Content you post on the Platform
• Your conduct as a Mentor or Mentee

12.1 Informal Resolution: Before initiating any formal dispute resolution proceeding, you agree to contact us at support@discuno.com to attempt to resolve the dispute informally. We commit to working with you in good faith to reach a resolution within 30 days.

12.2 Binding Arbitration: If we cannot resolve a dispute informally, you and Discuno agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Platform shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules.

• Arbitration will be conducted in Washtenaw County, Michigan, or remotely via video conference at the arbitrator's discretion.
• The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding, and judgment may be entered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
• Each party will bear its own costs and attorneys' fees, unless the arbitrator determines otherwise.
• You and Discuno waive the right to a jury trial and to participate in class actions or class arbitrations.

12.3 Exceptions to Arbitration: Either party may seek injunctive or equitable relief in court to protect intellectual property rights or prevent unauthorized use of the Platform.

12.4 Governing Law: These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Michigan, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles.

12.5 Opt-Out: You may opt out of the arbitration requirement by sending written notice to support@discuno.com within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. If you opt out, disputes will be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to the Platform. Your continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

Material changes will be communicated via email or prominent notice on the Platform.

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time, with or without cause, with or without notice. Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Platform immediately ceases
• Outstanding payments for completed sessions will be processed according to standard timelines
• Sections that should survive termination will remain in effect

15.1 Entire Agreement: These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and Discuno regarding your use of the Platform.

15.2 Severability: If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in full effect.

15.3 Waiver: Our failure to enforce any provision of these Terms does not constitute a waiver of that provision.

15.4 Assignment: You may not assign these Terms without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms to any affiliate or successor.

15.5 No Agency: Nothing in these Terms creates a partnership, joint venture, employment, or agency relationship between you and Discuno.

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us at: