Code of Conduct

This Code of Conduct is for everyone who takes part in Stellar: the Stellar team, founders, mentors, partners, investors and guests.

This Code sets out the standard we hold ourselves and each other to, in the space, at Stellar events, and in any cohort or program-related communications. It applies to everyone who takes part in Stellar.

1.      Our values

Our values are:

  • Trust

  • Integrity

  • Transparency

  • Strength

  • Community

We strive to embody these in everything we do at Stellar.

2.      How we treat each other

Respect and professionalism

  • Engage with all in alignment with Stellar’s values.

  • Act in good faith and with respect, courtesy and kindness.

  • Always act in compliance with the law and in the best interests of Stellar, its founders and its startups, and any agreements made in relation to this.

  • Harassment, discrimination, bullying, victimisation or defamatory behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated.

Equal opportunity and inclusion

  • Stellar is committed to a safe, inclusive environment, free from discrimination on the basis of gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or any other protected attribute.

  • Everyone is expected to contribute to a culture where people feel welcome and able to participate fully.

3.      Keeping the space and each other safe

Using the space

  • Treat the space, its equipment and its people with care, and like you would a place of work.

  • Follow any specific house rules communicated for the working environment, bookings, events or after-hours access.

  • Be aware of the rights of others and seek consent to share images of or any references to another founder's, partner's or startup's business in public or on social media.

Health, safety and security

  • Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others in the space.

  • Follow building access, security and emergency procedures, including any sign-in requirements for guests.

  • Use shared equipment and facilities safely and as intended, and report damage or faults.

  • Report any hazard, incident, injury or near miss to Stellar staff as soon as possible.

Alcohol and prohibited substances

  • Illegal drugs are prohibited in the space at all times.

  • Where alcohol is served at a Stellar event, consume it responsibly; intoxication that affects safety or conduct is not acceptable.

4.      How we treat information flows and honour confidentiality

To maximise the benefit of any Stellar spaces, discussions, or engagements, we respect:

  • Confidentiality: treat commercially sensitive or personal information about founders, startups, the Stellar team, the Stellar program and materials, partners, or Stellar as confidential.

  • Consent: only share such information with the relevant party's written consent, regardless of any separate confidentiality agreements in place.

  • Privacy: handle any personal information you access with applicable privacy law, and only for the purpose it was shared.

  • Psychological safety: we want everyone to feel safe to express their ideas, speak up, and admit challenges without fear of judgement or negative consequences. Being able to do this extends to all, in both an expression and listening capacity.

  • Chatham House Rule: we apply the Chatham House Rule to what is shared in the space. For the avoidance of doubt, the Chatham House Rule allows meeting participants to freely use information received during a discussion but prohibits them from revealing the identity or affiliation of any speaker or participant.

5.      External communications and social media

  • Be conscious about what you seek to share externally and make sure it honours this Code and the confidentiality and privacy of others.

  • Be conscious of referencing another founder's, partner's or startup's business in public or social media – get their consent first.

  • Only the Stellar team can speak on behalf of Stellar externally, unless express consent has been given by the Stellar team for another to do so.

6.      If something isn't right

Raising a concern

  • Raise any concern about a breach of this Code with the Stellar team, in person or in writing.

  • Reports will be treated seriously, handled confidentially where possible, and there will be no negative impacts for anyone who raises a concern in good faith.

If this Code is not followed

  • We will raise concerns directly and work towards a fair resolution. Serious or repeated breaches may result in restricted access to the space, suspension from the cohort or partner network, or termination of the relevant agreement.

7.      Review

This Code will be reviewed periodically and may be updated as Stellar evolves.