Liability Release, Waiver & Assumption of Risk

Parties

Releasor: The undersigned Participant (the “Participant,” “I,” or “me”).

Releasee: Better Than College LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability company; Automation Transformation Corporation, a Delaware S-Corporation; and their respective members, managers, officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents, independent contractors, coaches, mentors, instructors, guest speakers, affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”).

1. Acknowledgment and Assumption of Risks

I, the undersigned Participant, acknowledge, understand, and expressly assume all risks, known and unknown, foreseeable and unforeseeable, associated with my application to, enrollment in, participation in, attendance at, and any other involvement with the Program, including but not limited to:

Travel and Transportation Risks

All risks associated with traveling to and from Program locations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by any means, including automobile, public transit, bicycle, walking, ride-share, taxi, or any other form of transportation. This includes risks of traffic accidents, pedestrian injuries, and all other transportation-related hazards.

Premises and Physical Risks

All risks of physical injury at or near Program venues, including but not limited to slip-and-fall injuries, trip hazards, stairway injuries, equipment-related injuries, structural conditions, fire, weather-related hazards, and any other premises-related risks. BTC does not own or control venues and cannot guarantee their safety.

Health and Communicable Disease Risks

All risks of illness, disease, or adverse health events, including exposure to COVID-19, influenza, RSV, measles, tuberculosis, and any other communicable disease. BTC does not screen participants for illness and does not guarantee a disease-free environment.

Emotional, Psychological, and Mental Health Risks

All risks of emotional or psychological distress, including stress, anxiety, depression, frustration, disappointment, burnout, interpersonal conflict, social pressure, and other emotional harm arising from the demands of entrepreneurship, peer interactions, coaching feedback, and business failure.

Financial and Economic Risks

All financial risks, including the total loss of the Program Tuition ($12,000.00) and Application Fee ($15.00), both of which are non-refundable; the total loss of any funds invested in a business venture started during or after the Program; opportunity cost of time spent in the Program; and the risk that participation may not result in employment, income, or financial benefit.

Third-Party Conduct Risks

All risks arising from the conduct, actions, omissions, negligence, or intentional acts of other Program participants, mentors, coaches, instructors, guest speakers, venue staff, and any other third parties encountered during the Program.

Technology, Data, and Cyber Risks

All risks related to electronic communications, data breaches, hacking, phishing, unauthorized access to shared project information, loss of digital work product, and technological failures.

I understand and acknowledge that the above categories are not exhaustive and that other risks, both known and unknown, foreseeable and unforeseeable, exist. I voluntarily and knowingly assume each and all of such risks.

2. Release and Waiver of Liability

In consideration of being permitted to participate in the Program, I hereby irrevocably and unconditionally release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, demands, causes of action, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), whether known or unknown, arising out of or in any way connected with my participation in, attendance at, travel to or from, or any other involvement with the Program.

This release expressly applies to claims arising from the negligence (including gross negligence) of the Released Parties, as well as claims arising from strict liability, breach of contract, breach of warranty, or any other legal theory, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

3. No Duty of Care

I expressly acknowledge and agree that the Released Parties owe no duty of care, fiduciary duty, in loco parentis obligation, or any other duty whatsoever to me with respect to my physical, emotional, psychological, financial, or general welfare during or after the Program.

4. Non-Refundable Fees Acknowledgment

I acknowledge and irrevocably agree that all fees paid in connection with the Program are strictly non-refundable under all circumstances. Specifically:

• The Application Fee of $15.00 is non-refundable and is earned by BTC upon receipt.
• The Program Tuition of $12,000.00 is non-refundable upon payment and is earned by BTC upon receipt.

5. Waiver of Unknown Claims

I expressly waive any and all rights and benefits conferred by any statute, regulation, or common law principle of any jurisdiction that would otherwise limit this release to claims known or suspected to exist at the time of execution of this Agreement.

6. Media Release

I grant the Released Parties the irrevocable, perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free, sublicensable right and permission to photograph, video record, and audio record me during Program activities, and to use, reproduce, distribute, display, publish, and create derivative works of my name, likeness, image, voice, and statements for marketing, promotional, advertising, and educational purposes in any media.

7. Indemnification

I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) that arise from or relate to: (a) my breach of this Agreement or the Terms of Service; (b) my negligent, reckless, or intentional acts or omissions; (c) my violation of any applicable law; (d) any business venture I start during or after the Program; and (e) any dispute between me and any third party.

8. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Any disputes shall be resolved exclusively through mandatory binding arbitration in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. The Participant waives any right to participate in a class action.

9. Severability and Survival

If any provision of this Agreement is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. All provisions intended to survive termination shall survive.