DemandFirst Terms of Use

In these Terms, the following definitions apply:

• "Platform" — The DemandFirst web application and associated services accessible at demandfirst.app.
• "User" — Any individual or entity that creates an account or accesses the Platform.
• "Demand Scout" — A User acting as a buyer, agent, or influencer who posts demand needs on the Platform.
• "Supplier" — A User acting as a manufacturer or brand offering products in response to posted demands.
• "Expert" — A verified professional offering fractional advisory services within the Platform.
• "Headhunter" — A talent agency managing a roster of Experts under a single account.
• "Deal Room" — An encrypted workspace where matched parties negotiate and execute transactions.
• "Escrow" — Stripe-powered payment holding mechanism that releases funds upon confirmed delivery.

To use the Platform, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Represent a legitimate business entity registered in your jurisdiction.
• Have the legal authority to bind that entity to these Terms.
• Not be located in a country subject to applicable trade sanctions or embargoes.

DemandFirst reserves the right to verify your credentials and to suspend or terminate accounts that do not meet eligibility requirements.

DemandFirst provides a B2B marketplace that connects cosmetics industry participants through the following core services:

• Demand Matching: AI-powered compatibility scoring to connect posted demands with verified suppliers.
• Verified Deal Rooms: Encrypted workspaces for negotiation, file sharing, and contract execution.
• Expert Marketplace: On-demand access to fractional advisors for regulatory, customs, and formulation support.
• Headhunter Network: Agency-level talent management with revenue-share incentives.
• ESG Impact Tracking: Automated reporting on deadstock prevention, plastic savings, and water preservation.

DemandFirst does not manufacture, warehouse, or take title to any goods traded on the Platform. We are solely a technology facilitator.

When you create an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, complete, and up-to-date information during registration.
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your login credentials.
• Notify DemandFirst immediately of any unauthorized access to your account.
• Accept responsibility for all activity conducted through your account.

Accounts are non-transferable. You may not share access credentials with third parties or create multiple accounts to circumvent tier restrictions.

Access to DemandFirst features is governed by a tiered subscription model:

• Bronze (Free): Basic access with limited matching credits and country visibility.
• Silver, Gold, Platinum: Expanded access with lower commission rates and additional platform tools.

Platform deal success fees are applied as a percentage of the confirmed deal value, as disclosed in your account dashboard and subject to your active subscription tier. Subscription fees are billed monthly or annually and are non-refundable unless otherwise required by applicable law.

DemandFirst reserves the right to modify fee structures with 30 days' written notice to active subscribers.

All in-platform financial transactions are processed through Stripe. By completing a transaction, you agree to Stripe's Terms of Service in addition to these Terms.

Escrow Mechanism: Upon deal confirmation, buyer funds are held in a Stripe-managed escrow account. Funds are released to the supplier only upon confirmed delivery as tracked by AfterShip logistics integration.

Dispute Resolution: If a buyer opens a logistics dispute within the inspection window, escrow funds are frozen pending resolution. DemandFirst will facilitate communication but does not adjudicate disputes and is not liable for their outcomes.

Off-Platform Transactions: Circumventing Platform payments after an introduction has been made is a material breach of these Terms and may result in immediate account suspension and applicable fee recovery.

You may not use the Platform to:

• Circumvent Platform payments by transacting off-platform after an introduction.
• Provide false identity, business registration, or certification information.
• Scrape, harvest, or systematically copy Platform data or user profiles.
• List counterfeit, non-compliant, or cosmetically illegal products.
• Abuse the matching system, including submitting fraudulent demands or offers.
• Harass, threaten, or defame other Platform users.
• Attempt to reverse-engineer, decompile, or disrupt Platform infrastructure.
• Violate any applicable local, national, or international law or regulation.

Violation of prohibited conduct provisions may result in immediate account suspension, termination, and referral to appropriate authorities.

All Platform content, branding, software, algorithms, and proprietary matching logic are the exclusive intellectual property of DemandFirst and its licensors, protected under applicable copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws.

User Content: Content you create on the Platform (listings, profiles, portfolio items) remains your property. By posting content, you grant DemandFirst a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, display, and distribute that content for Platform operation and promotional purposes.

You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works of Platform content without prior written consent from DemandFirst.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, DemandFirst shall not be liable for:

• Disputes arising between buyers and sellers, including product quality or delivery failures.
• Regulatory non-compliance of products listed or traded on the Platform.
• Indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from Platform use.
• Unauthorized access to your account resulting from your failure to maintain credential security.
• Service interruptions, data loss, or technical failures outside our reasonable control.

DemandFirst's total cumulative liability to any User for any claim arising under these Terms shall not exceed the total fees paid by that User to DemandFirst in the six (6) months preceding the claim.

These Terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the European Union and applicable member state law, without regard to conflict-of-law principles.

Any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or in connection with these Terms shall first be submitted to good-faith mediation. If mediation fails within 60 days, disputes shall be resolved by binding arbitration or in competent courts of jurisdiction as agreed between the parties.

Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking emergency injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction.

For legal inquiries, notices, or requests, please contact:

DemandFirst reserves the right to update these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or in-platform notification with at least 14 days' notice before taking effect.