Solve — Terms & Expectations

In one sentence: Solve matches companies with institutions of higher learning so fresh minds can work on real problems. The matching, coordination and programme facilitation are free and provided by LapaLabs. Whatever happens between the company and the institution after a match — including any commercial arrangement — is entirely between those two parties.

1. What Solve does (LapaLabs' role)

Matching: We pair problem statements with institutions whose programmes and research fit.
Vetting: We review problem statements for scope and seriousness, and verify institutions.
Facilitation: We run the kick-off, set expectations, keep communication flowing, and organise the final presentation.
Tracking & proof of work: We track milestones and verify that submitted work is genuine and complete.

2. What Solve does NOT do

No guarantee of outcomes: We facilitate — we do not guarantee that any solution will work, be adopted, or deliver commercial results.
No IP transfer: Posting a problem does not grant anyone rights to your background information, and student work remains the student's (unless the parties agree otherwise, directly).
No legal or commercial advice: We are not your lawyer, accountant, or agent. Any commercial agreement between company and institution is negotiated by those parties.
No handling of payments or disputes: Solve is free and does not process payments between parties, nor arbitrate disagreements.

3. Privacy & confidentiality

Public vs private: Only an anonymous teaser (title + one line + domain tag) is ever public. Your full brief is never published.
Who sees your full brief: You, the institution(s) LapaLabs matches you with, and LapaLabs programme staff — and no one else.
Anonymity: You may post as "Anonymous company" and reveal your identity only when you choose. LapaLabs can arrange for a matched institution to sign an NDA before your details are shared.
Data handling: Briefs are stored on LapaLabs' private server, transmitted securely, and are never sold or shared with advertisers. You may request deletion at any time.
What we don't claim: Solve is not a bank-grade data vault. Please do not upload highly sensitive trade secrets into the open form — if you have material that requires an NDA before any review, contact us and we will structure the match accordingly.

4. Expectations of companies

Describe a real, well-scoped problem — not a disguised sales pitch or a request for free consulting.
Designate an officer who will respond to the matched institution within a reasonable time.
Give genuine feedback on the work presented. Even a "not for us" is valuable — say it clearly and kindly.
If you commission or adopt student work, agree commercial terms directly with the institution and student — fairly.

5. Expectations of institutions & students

Only take on problems that genuinely fit your faculty's expertise and capacity.
Treat company information as confidential — never share briefs outside the sanctioned team.
Deliver real work: honest effort, properly attributed, with proof of what was done.
Present findings clearly and admit limitations — a truthful partial result beats a polished fabrication.

6. Intellectual property

Your brief stays yours. LapaLabs claims no ownership of any problem statement, background material, or solution.
Student work stays with its creators unless the company and institution agree otherwise in writing.
Any IP arrangement that results from a match is negotiated directly between the company and the institution.

7. Indemnity & liability

Solve is provided free of charge, as a facilitation service. To the maximum extent permitted by law, LapaLabs is not liable for any loss, damage, or dispute arising between a company and an institution (or student) in connection with a match — including the use or non-use of any solution or the outcome of any project.
Each party is responsible for its own conduct, representations, and deliverables. Companies and institutions engage with each other at their own discretion and under their own agreements.
Nothing in these terms limits liability that cannot be limited under applicable law.

8. Changes & contact

LapaLabs may update these terms as the programme evolves. Continued use of Solve constitutes acceptance of the current terms.
Questions? Contact hello@lapalabs.co.

Last updated: September 2026 · Solve is a free initiative of LapaLabs (lapalabs.co).