Knex Terms of Service

Effective Date: May 29, 2026

Last Updated: May 26, 2026

Welcome to Knex. By accessing or using our platform, website, or any services offered through Knex, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you do not agree, please do not use our services.

1. Definitions

Platform — The Knex website, application, and AI-driven matching services available at knex.pro and its subdomains.
Business User — A company or individual seeking fractional executive or advisor talent through Knex.
Fractional Executive — A vetted professional offering part-time leadership or consulting services through the Platform for cash-based compensation.
Advisor — An experienced professional offering strategic advisory services on an equity-only basis using the Founder Institute FAST Standard Agreement.
Expert — Refers collectively to Fractional Executives and Advisors.
User — Any person or entity accessing or using the Platform, including Business Users, Fractional Executives, Advisors, and visitors.
Engagement — A confirmed working relationship between a Business User and an Expert, facilitated through the Platform.
Project — A specific scope of work, statement of work, or work order agreed between a Business User and a Fractional Executive, subject to the Knex Tri-Party Service Agreement.

2. Eligibility

Users must be at least 18 years of age and legally capable of entering into binding agreements. By using the Platform, you represent that you meet these requirements.

3. Account Registration

You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information when registering an account and to keep that information up to date. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. Knex may verify information or references as part of its vetting process and reserves the right to suspend or terminate accounts that provide false or misleading information.

4. Services Overview

Knex operates as a marketplace and facilitation platform connecting Business Users with Experts. Knex's role is that of a platform operator and limited payment agent — not an employer, staffing agency, or contracting party to Engagements between Users.

  • For Business Users: Knex provides matching, vetting, contract facilitation, invoicing, and payment processing for Engagements with Fractional Executives and Advisors.
  • For Fractional Executives: Knex provides a storefront, client matching, contract and invoicing tools, and payment disbursement for paid Engagements.
  • For Advisors: Knex facilitates introductions and provides document templates and compliance tracking for equity-only advisory arrangements under the Founder Institute FAST Standard.

All paid Engagements between Business Users and Fractional Executives are governed by the Knex Tri-Party Service Agreement, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

5. Fees and Payments

5.1 Expert Subscription Tiers

Experts may access the Platform under one of the following subscription tiers:

  • Free (Equity Engagements) — Available at no cost. Includes a public profile, editable storefront, verified testimonials, and the ability to offer equity-only advisor services. No paid engagements or payment processing tools are included.
  • Basic — Paid Engagements ($49/month or $490/year) — Includes everything in the Free tier, plus bookable paid services, e-commerce and payment tools, unlimited service listings, client matching and vetting, contracts and invoicing, and ACH payouts. Includes a 14-day free trial. Cancel anytime.
  • Premium — Paid + Marketing ($179/month or $1,790/year) — Includes everything in the Basic tier, plus custom video content features, priority marketplace placement, inclusion in Knex marketing and advertising, boosted client recommendations, dedicated consultation, premium events access, and promotional content assets. Cancel anytime.

Subscription fees are billed in advance on a monthly or annual basis. Knex reserves the right to modify subscription pricing with at least 30 days' notice to existing subscribers. Continued use after notice constitutes acceptance of the updated pricing.

5.2 Business User Fees

Business Users pay no subscription fee for access to the Platform. The following fees apply to specific services:

  • Advisor Activation Fee: A one-time fee of $499 applies when a Business User executes a FAST-standard agreement with an Advisor, covering vetting and documentation.
  • Platform Fee: For all paid Engagements processed through Knex, a platform fee of 10% is included in the total engagement amount billed to the Business User. This fee covers payment processing, compliance, contract facilitation, and platform services. The platform fee is disclosed in the applicable Project documentation at the time of engagement.

5.3 Payment Processing and Disbursement

All payments for paid Engagements are processed through Knex's approved payment platform. Knex acts as a limited payment agent on behalf of Fractional Executives solely for the purpose of receiving and processing payments from Business Users. Payment by a Business User to Knex constitutes payment to the Fractional Executive to the extent of amounts disbursed pursuant to the applicable Project terms.

Knex retains 10% of each total engagement payment as its Platform Fee and disburses the remaining 90% to the applicable Fractional Executive within seven (7) business days of receipt. Fractional Executives must provide a completed IRS Form W-9 to Knex before receiving any disbursement. Knex will issue IRS Form 1099-NEC to Fractional Executives for all amounts disbursed in each applicable tax year.

Equity-only Advisor engagements are not processed through Knex's payment system. Equity compensation is managed under the FAST standard and tracked through Knex software.

5.4 Refunds and Disputes

Subscription fees are non-refundable except where required by applicable law. Payment disputes related to Engagements should be raised with Knex within 30 days of the disputed transaction. Knex will use commercially reasonable efforts to assist in resolving payment disputes but is not liable for the performance or non-performance of either party to an Engagement.

6. User Responsibilities

Business Users

  • Provide accurate information about your company, role requirements, and payment details.
  • Use FAST-standard templates for all equity-only advisor engagements.
  • Make all payments for Engagements through the Platform. Circumventing the Platform to engage Experts outside of Knex without Knex's prior written consent is a material breach of these Terms and the Tri-Party Service Agreement.
  • Comply with all applicable employment, tax, and securities laws in connection with your use of the Platform.

Fractional Executives

  • Maintain an accurate, current profile and conduct yourself professionally in all Engagements.
  • Deliver services in good faith and in accordance with agreed Project terms.
  • Provide a completed IRS Form W-9 to Knex before receiving any disbursement.
  • You are an independent contractor. You are solely responsible for your own taxes, insurance, and compliance with applicable laws. Nothing in these Terms or any Engagement creates an employment relationship between you and either Knex or any Business User.

Advisors

  • Maintain an accurate profile and conduct yourself professionally.
  • Acknowledge that all equity compensation is managed under the FAST standard and tracked through Knex software.
  • You are an independent contractor. Nothing in these Terms creates an employment relationship between you and either Knex or any Business User.

7. Non-Solicitation and Non-Circumvention

During your use of the Platform and for 12 months after termination of your account or any Engagement, you agree not to solicit or directly engage any Expert, Business User, employee, or partner of Knex for purposes that circumvent Knex's platform, without Knex's prior written consent. Any violation entitles Knex to recover damages equal to the fees that would have been due under the applicable Engagement.

8. Intellectual Property

Knex retains all ownership of the Platform, including its content, tools, systems, branding, and technology. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Platform solely for its intended purpose during the term of your account.

User-generated content (profiles, testimonials, case study materials) remains your property, but you grant Knex a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use such content for platform operations, matching, and marketing purposes.

Intellectual property ownership in connection with specific Engagements is governed by the applicable Tri-Party Service Agreement.

9. Confidentiality

All Users agree to maintain the confidentiality of proprietary or sensitive information obtained through the Platform or through any Engagement, and to use such information only as necessary to participate in the Platform or perform under an Engagement. This obligation survives termination of your account.

10. Limitation of Liability

Knex facilitates introductions, provides platform tools, and acts as a limited payment agent. Knex is not a party to Engagements between Business Users and Experts (except as expressly set out in the Tri-Party Service Agreement) and is not liable for loss, damages, or disputes arising from the performance or non-performance of any Engagement.

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, KNEX'S TOTAL LIABILITY TO ANY USER FOR ANY CLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THESE TERMS OR THE PLATFORM SHALL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE TOTAL FEES PAID BY THAT USER TO KNEX IN THE THREE MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM, OR (B) $100. KNEX SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES.

11. Termination

Knex may suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these Terms, misconduct, or misuse of the Platform. You may close your account at any time by contacting Knex at [email protected].

Termination of your account does not relieve you of obligations incurred prior to termination, including payment obligations, confidentiality obligations, and non-solicitation obligations.

12. Dispute Resolution

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Platform that cannot be resolved informally shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, with proceedings conducted in Delaware. Each party waives any right to a jury trial. Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction where necessary to protect confidential information or intellectual property rights.

13. Amendments

Knex may update these Terms periodically. Notice will be provided via the Platform or email at least 14 days before material changes take effect. Continued use of the Platform after that date constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

14. Miscellaneous

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unlawful or unenforceable, that provision will be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it enforceable, and all other provisions will remain in full force and effect. Knex's failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of its right to do so in the future. These Terms constitute the entire agreement between Knex and each User with respect to the Platform and supersede all prior agreements or understandings on the same subject.

15. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact us at: [email protected]