Expert Terms & Conditions
Expert Terms & Conditions
Last updated: October 15, 2025
These Expert Terms & Conditions (the “Agreement”) govern your participation as an expert (“Expert,” “you,” or “your”) in research engagements arranged by AxelResearch, LLC (“AxelResearch,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). By agreeing to participate in any AxelResearch project, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms.
1. Engagement Overview
AxelResearch connects business professionals (“Clients”) with independent experts (“Experts”) for research interviews and consultations (“Engagements”). Experts provide educational insights based on personal experience, not confidential or proprietary information.
Participation in any Engagement is entirely voluntary.
2. Independent Contractor Relationship
You participate in Engagements as an independent contractor, not an employee, agent, or representative of AxelResearch or any Client. You are solely responsible for your tax obligations and compliance with any employment or contractual restrictions to which you are subject.
3. Confidentiality and Compliance
You agree that during any Engagement:
You will not disclose any confidential, proprietary, or material nonpublic information (“MNPI”) belonging to your current or former employer, any company you have a duty to, or any third party.
You will not provide investment, legal, medical, or accounting advice or make forward-looking statements about public companies.
You will comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and agreements (including employment, confidentiality, and securities laws).
If you are uncertain whether information may be disclosed, you must err on the side of non-disclosure.
4. Confidentiality of Expert Information
AxelResearch and its Clients agree to treat information shared by Experts during an Engagement as strictly confidential. Except as necessary to facilitate the Engagement or comply with applicable law, AxelResearch will not disclose the substance of any Engagement, your identity as an Expert, or any information you provide during an Engagement to third parties without your consent.
AxelResearch requires its Clients to maintain the confidentiality of all information disclosed during an Engagement and to use such information solely for their own internal research and analysis purposes. Clients are expressly prohibited from attributing statements to you by name, recording sessions without permission, or otherwise sharing any information obtained from an Engagement outside their organization.
AxelResearch may share information internally with its affiliates, service providers, or Clients for legitimate business, research, or compliance purposes, provided that all such parties are bound by confidentiality obligations no less protective than those set forth herein.
5. Conflicts of Interest
You represent that your participation will not conflict with any of your existing obligations. You must decline any Engagement that might present a conflict of interest or violate any law, duty, or restriction applicable to you.
If you are employed by a company that prohibits participation in paid research or requires prior approval, it is your responsibility to obtain that approval before accepting an Engagement.
6. Payment
Experts are compensated for completed Engagements according to the terms agreed prior to participation. Payment is typically made via virtual gift card, but can also be made via charitable contribution or ACH wire transfer, as disclosed before the session.
You are responsible for any taxes arising from such payments.
7. Ownership and Use of Information
All information and insights shared during an Engagement are provided for the Client’s internal research purposes only. You retain ownership of your personal knowledge and expertise, but AxelResearch and its Clients may use information from Engagements for lawful business, analytical, or academic purposes (e.g., anonymized reporting, research summaries).
8. Compliance Monitoring
To maintain industry-leading compliance standards, AxelResearch may record or monitor sessions for quality assurance, training, or compliance verification. You consent to such recording, provided it is conducted in accordance with applicable law.
9. Data Protection
AxelResearch will process personal information in accordance with its Privacy Policy. By participating, you consent to such processing for the purpose of administering Engagements and related operations.
10. No Guarantee of Engagements
AxelResearch is under no obligation to offer Engagements, and you are under no obligation to accept them. AxelResearch may suspend or terminate your participation at any time, with or without cause.
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless AxelResearch, its officers, employees, and Clients from any claim, loss, or liability arising out of your breach of this Agreement or participation in any Engagement.
12. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law, AxelResearch shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising out of or related to this Agreement or your participation in any Engagement.
12. Governing Law
This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law principles.
13. Entire Agreement
This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between you and AxelResearch regarding your participation as an Expert and supersedes any prior agreements or understandings, whether written or oral.
Acknowledgment
By participating in an AxelResearch engagement, or by submitting the Expert Acknowledgment form, you confirm that:
You have read and understood these Terms.
You will not disclose any confidential, proprietary, or material nonpublic information (MNPI) during any Engagement.
You agree to be bound by these Expert Terms & Conditions.