1. What topseat.lol is

Exactly one startup is displayed as #1 on the homepage at any moment. Taking that spot is a paid advertising placement. Supporting the current #1 is a voluntary contribution that makes the placement harder to take over.

There are no random outcomes, no draws, no prizes and no payouts to participants. Money paid for a takeover or for support is a fee for promotion, not a stake.

2. Support

Signed-in users get one free support every 24 hours. Free support counts you as a supporter and creates public activity; it never changes any money value.

Paid support ($1 to $10,000) is added to the current leader's community support dollar-for-dollar and raises its total defense. Paid support only counts after the payment is confirmed by our payment provider.

If the throne changes before your paid support is confirmed, the support is not applied to anyone and becomes refund-eligible.

3. How long a hold lasts

Every takeover buys a maximum hold of 7 days. When it runs out the seat becomes empty again and the next takeover starts at $3,000.

The current holder can extend before the time is up by paying $3,000 for another period. Being outbid ends a hold immediately; the remaining time is not refunded.

4. Takeovers

Total defense = current takeover value + paid community support. The minimum takeover is total defense plus $1. An empty throne starts at $3,000.

Only approved startups owned by your account can challenge. When your payment is confirmed, our server re-checks the current defense. If your amount still clears the minimum, your startup becomes #1 immediately, the timer restarts and the previous holder's session is archived. If it no longer clears, the throne does not change and your payment is refund-eligible — you can update your offer.

Takeovers are processed strictly one at a time. There can never be two simultaneous #1s.

5. Payments and refunds

Payments are processed by Stripe. We never see or store card numbers. Successful takeovers and applied support are final placements and non-refundable, except as required by law.

Payments that could not be applied (outbid, late support, failed takeover) are refund-eligible. Request one from Settings → Billing or via Contact. See the Refund Policy.

6. Listings and moderation

Every startup is reviewed before it can challenge. We verify website ownership via DNS, HTML meta tag or a company email. We may reject, suspend or remove any listing that violates these rules, and we may end a current hold if the holder is found in violation.

Prohibited: illegal businesses, malware, phishing, adult or pornographic content, hate or extremist organisations, weapons sales, fraud, fake companies and copyright abuse. Abusive behaviour toward other participants, manipulation of support counts (multiple accounts, automation) or misleading claims will lead to suspension.

7. Accounts and guest checkout

You can pay for support or a takeover without creating an account first. Stripe collects your email; we create your account from it and email you a sign-in link so you can manage your startup, receipts and notifications.

Free daily support always needs an account so every person is counted once.

8. Fair play

One account per person. Free support is limited per account and rate-limited. We validate every action on the server and may reverse manipulated results.

You may share your spotlight anywhere. We generate share cards and suggested posts, but we never post on your behalf.