Terms of Use

This Terms of Use Agreement ("Agreement") governs your access and use of the services provided via the STEP ESG & Green Building Tech Marketplace("Platform"), operated by HAUTE INNOVA("Company," "we," "us," or "our").

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to comply with and be bound by this Agreement, as it may be amended from time to time.

STEP is a curated digital marketplace and directory of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) and green building technologies. The Platform serves as an intermediary connecting technology providers with enterprise buyers, sustainability professionals, investors, and researchers.

The Platform provides the following services:

• A searchable directory of verified ESG and sustainability technology solutions, with advanced filtering by category, ESG pillar, certification, framework, and region.
• A STEP Stars rating and verification program administered in partnership with EmiratesGBC to evaluate sustainability claims.
• An AI ESG Advisor chatbot providing tailored technology recommendations based on user queries.
• A Challenges marketplace where enterprise buyers can post sustainability challenges and receive proposals from technology providers.
• B2B communication tools allowing direct contact between buyers and providers.

Certain features of the Platform require registration and creation of an account. When you create an account, you agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during the registration process.
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of your login credentials.
• Accept full responsibility for all activities that occur under your account.
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use of your account or any breach of security.

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms, provide false information, or engage in abusive or fraudulent behavior.

Technology Providers who submit tools and solutions to the STEP Marketplace represent and warrant that:

All content, design, branding, software, trademarks, and proprietary materials on the STEP Platform — including the STEP name, STEP Stars rating system, logos, UI design, AI ESG Advisor, and codebase — are the exclusive property of HAUTE INNOVA and are protected by applicable intellectual property laws.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, sell, license, or create derivative works from any Platform content without prior written consent. Technology Providers retain ownership of their submitted content but grant STEP a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to display, distribute, and promote their listings on the Platform.

The Platform and all services are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

While STEP implements the STEP Stars rating program and works with EmiratesGBC for independent verification, we encourage all users to perform their own independent due diligence before entering into any commercial relationship with technology providers listed on the Platform.

AI ESG Advisor recommendations are generated by artificial intelligence and are intended for informational purposes only. They do not constitute professional advice and should not be solely relied upon for business decisions.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, STEP, HAUTE INNOVA, and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to:

• Loss of profits, revenue, data, or business opportunities.
• Costs of procurement of substitute goods or services.
• Damages resulting from any transaction between users of the Platform.
• Reliance on AI-generated recommendations or third-party content.
• Service interruptions, errors, or security breaches beyond our reasonable control.

Termination: We may suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time, with or without notice, for conduct that we determine violates these Terms or is harmful to other users, us, or third parties, or for any other reason. Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately.

Governing Law: This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates. Any disputes arising from or relating to this Agreement shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the UAE.