Terms of Service

Effective Date: April 1, 2026

1. Acceptance of Terms

These Terms of Service ("Terms") constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("you" or "User") and Helio LLC ("Helio," "we," "us," or "our"), governing your access to and use of the Helio platform, including the websites findhelio.com and heliorewards.com, and all related services, applications, and tools (collectively, the "Service").

By creating an account, accessing the Service, or using any part of the platform, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Service.

2. Description of Service

Helio operates a biospecimen marketplace that connects individuals willing to donate biological specimens ("Donors") with academic and commercial research organizations ("Researchers"). Helio is a pure marketplace platform. Helio does not collect, handle, store, or transport biological specimens at any point. Helio's role is limited to:

All specimen collection, handling, processing, and transportation is performed by CLIA-certified laboratories and licensed phlebotomy facilities contracted by the Researcher or coordinated through Helio's network of approved collection partners.

3. Eligibility

To use the Service, you must:

Researchers must additionally represent a legitimate academic institution, commercial research organization, pharmaceutical company, or biotech entity with verifiable credentials. Helio reserves the right to request documentation verifying institutional affiliation and research purpose.

4. User Accounts and Registration

4.1 Account Creation

To access most features of the Service, you must create an account by providing accurate, current, and complete information. You agree to update your information promptly if it changes. Providing false or misleading information is grounds for immediate account termination.

4.2 Account Security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. You must notify Helio immediately at [email protected] if you suspect unauthorized access to your account.

4.3 Helio ID

Upon registration, each user is assigned a unique Helio ID. This identifier is the only link between your personal identity and your anonymized research profile within the Helio system. Your Helio ID is used to protect your privacy while enabling the matching process. You may not share, transfer, or disclose your Helio ID to any third party.

5. Donor Terms

5.1 Health Profile and Matching

As a Donor, you will provide health information during onboarding, including current and historical health conditions, medications, and demographic data. This information is used solely for specimen matching purposes. Your health profile is anonymized and separated from your personal identity through Helio's three-tier data architecture (see our Privacy Policy for details).

You represent and warrant that all health information you provide is truthful and accurate to the best of your knowledge. Providing false health information may compromise research integrity and is grounds for immediate removal from the platform and forfeiture of pending compensation.

5.2 Compensation

Donors are compensated for their time and the value of their specimen to ongoing research. Compensation amounts vary based on specimen type, health profile relevance, and specific study requirements. Quoted compensation amounts are provided before you confirm participation in any donation opportunity.

Compensation is processed after the collection facility confirms successful specimen collection and the specimen meets the Researcher's stated specifications. Payment is issued via the method you select in your account settings (direct deposit, PayPal, or other supported methods). Standard payment processing takes 5 to 10 business days from confirmation.

Helio reserves the right to withhold or recover compensation if a specimen is found to be unusable due to inaccurate health disclosures by the Donor.

5.3 Donation Requirements and Scheduling

Each donation opportunity will specify the specimen type, collection requirements, and any pre-donation instructions (such as fasting or medication holds). You are responsible for following all pre-donation instructions provided. Failure to follow instructions may result in specimen rejection and loss of compensation for that session.

Appointments are scheduled through the Helio platform at approved collection facilities. You are responsible for attending scheduled appointments on time.

5.4 Cancellation

You may cancel a scheduled donation at any time before the appointment. We request at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations (fewer than 6 hours before the appointment) may result in temporary suspension of your ability to accept new donation opportunities.

Helio may cancel a donation opportunity at any time if the Researcher withdraws the request, the study is paused, or for any other operational reason. If Helio cancels an opportunity you have already confirmed, you will not be penalized and your account standing will not be affected.

6. Researcher Terms

6.1 Specimen Requests

Researchers submit specimen requests specifying the type of specimen, required donor health profile characteristics, quantity, collection timeline, and any special handling or processing requirements. Helio uses AI-powered matching to identify Donors whose anonymized health profiles meet the specified criteria.

Helio does not guarantee that a match will be found for every specimen request. Match availability depends on the current Donor pool and the specificity of the request.

6.2 Pricing and Payment

Pricing for specimen fulfillment is quoted per request and depends on specimen type, donor profile specificity, collection complexity, and timeline urgency. Researchers are presented with pricing before confirming a request. Accepted quotes constitute a binding commitment to pay upon successful specimen collection.

Payment is due within 30 days of specimen delivery confirmation. Helio accepts payment via wire transfer, ACH, corporate credit card, or invoicing through Stripe. Late payments are subject to a 1.5% monthly finance charge. Accounts with invoices overdue by more than 60 days may be suspended.

6.3 Specimen Specifications and Acceptance

Helio coordinates specimen collection through certified third-party facilities according to the Researcher's stated specifications. While Helio makes every reasonable effort to ensure specimens meet stated requirements, Helio does not guarantee the suitability of any specimen for a particular research application.

Researchers must inspect specimens upon receipt and report any issues within 48 hours of delivery. Specimens not rejected within this window are deemed accepted. Claims regarding specimen quality or suitability after the 48-hour inspection period are not eligible for refund or credit unless the issue relates to Donor health profile inaccuracy.

6.4 Responsible Use of Specimens

Researchers agree to use all specimens exclusively for the stated research purpose disclosed in their specimen request. Specimens may not be resold, redistributed, or used for purposes other than those disclosed to Helio without prior written consent. Researchers are responsible for complying with all applicable regulations, including IRB approvals where required.

7. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

8. Intellectual Property

The Service, including all content, features, functionality, software, text, graphics, logos, and design elements, is owned by Helio LLC and is protected by United States and international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Service for its intended purpose. This license does not include the right to modify, reproduce, distribute, create derivative works from, publicly display, or commercially exploit any part of the Service without Helio's prior written consent.

"Helio," "Helio Research," "Helio Rewards," "Helio ID," and associated logos and marks are trademarks of Helio LLC. You may not use these marks without prior written permission.

9. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, Helio LLC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including but not limited to loss of profits, data, use, or goodwill, arising out of or related to your use of or inability to use the Service, regardless of the theory of liability.

Helio's total aggregate liability for all claims arising out of or related to these Terms or the Service shall not exceed the greater of (a) the amounts you paid to Helio in the twelve months preceding the claim, or (b) one hundred dollars ($100).

Helio does not provide medical advice and is not responsible for any health outcomes related to specimen donation. Donors participate at their own risk and should consult their personal physician before participating in any donation. Helio is not responsible for the actions, quality of care, or negligence of third-party collection facilities.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Helio LLC, its officers, directors, employees, agents, and affiliates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

11. Dispute Resolution

11.1 Informal Resolution

Before initiating any formal dispute resolution, you agree to first contact Helio at [email protected] and attempt to resolve the dispute informally for at least 30 days.

11.2 Binding Arbitration

If informal resolution is unsuccessful, any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms or the Service shall be resolved by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under its Commercial Arbitration Rules. The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator in Wilmington, Delaware, or at a mutually agreed location. The arbitrator's decision shall be final and binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

11.3 Class Action Waiver

You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted on an individual basis and not as part of a class, consolidated, or representative action. You waive your right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration against Helio.

11.4 Exceptions

Either party may seek injunctive or other equitable relief in any court of competent jurisdiction to prevent the actual or threatened infringement of intellectual property rights or breach of confidentiality obligations.

12. Modification of Terms

Helio reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email (at the address associated with your account) or by posting a prominent notice on the Service at least 30 days before the changes take effect.

Your continued use of the Service after the effective date of revised Terms constitutes your acceptance of the changes. If you do not agree to the revised Terms, you must stop using the Service and may request account deletion.

13. Termination

You may terminate your account at any time by contacting [email protected]. Account deletion requests are processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Helio may suspend or terminate your account at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including but not limited to violation of these Terms, inaccurate health disclosures, fraudulent activity, or extended inactivity. Upon termination, your right to use the Service ceases immediately. Sections 8 through 11 survive termination.

14. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. Any legal action or proceeding not subject to arbitration shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Delaware.

15. General Provisions

15.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and Helio regarding the Service and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

15.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that the remaining Terms remain in full force and effect.

15.3 Waiver

The failure of Helio to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not be deemed a waiver of such right or provision.

15.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights under them without Helio's prior written consent. Helio may assign these Terms without restriction.

16. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms of Service, contact us at:

Helio LLC
Email: [email protected]
Website: findhelio.com

Last updated: April 1, 2026