Investment Cancellation & Refund Policy

1. Purpose & Scope

This Policy explains when and how investors may cancel an investment commitment on the SME4ME platform (the "Platform"), and how refunds are handled. It applies to all investments made through the Platform, whether via mobile money (e.g., M‑Pesa), bank transfer, debit/credit card, or wire.

2. Definitions

• Investment Commitment means the investor's submission of an order to invest in an offering on the Platform.
• Offering Deadline means the scheduled end date/time of an offering (or a new deadline following an early close or extension).
• Rolling Close means one or more intermediate closings prior to the Offering Deadline in which funds are accepted from investors whose commitments have cleared.

3. Standard Cancellation Window

a) General Rule

You may cancel an Investment Commitment for any reason up to 48 hours prior to the relevant deadline (Offering Deadline or a Rolling Close), as displayed on the offering page and in your dashboard.

b) Final 48 Hours

During the 48 hours immediately preceding a deadline, Investment Commitments generally cannot be canceled.

c) Extensions or Early Close

If the issuer extends the Offering Deadline or elects an early close, SME4ME will provide notice of the new deadline; you will have the right to cancel until 48 hours prior to the new deadline.

4. Material Changes & Reconfirmation

If an issuer makes a material change to the offering (e.g., pricing, terms, risk factors, or significant new information), SME4ME will notify affected investors. Investors will receive a reconfirmation window (typically three (3) business days) to reconfirm their Investment Commitment. If you do not reconfirm within that period, your commitment will be automatically canceled and any funds will be refunded.

5. How to Cancel

• Use the Cancel control on your SME4ME account's Investments page while within the allowable window.
• If you encounter issues, email us from your registered email with: your name, offering name, amount, and a cancellation request. Cancellation requests are timestamped when received by our systems; eligibility is determined by that timestamp.

6. When Refunds Are Issued

Refunds are initiated when:

• You cancel within an eligible window; or
• An offering fails to meet its minimum target by the applicable deadline; or
• You decline to reconfirm after a material change notice; or
• SME4ME or the issuer rejects or voids a commitment (e.g., KYC/AML failure, sanctions screening, fraud risk, payment not cleared, or oversubscription); or
• The offering is withdrawn or terminated prior to closing.

7. Refund Amount & Fees

SME4ME endeavors to refund the full principal amount you committed. However, certain non‑recoverable third‑party charges including but not limited to card network fees, cross‑border or intermediary bank fees may not be recoverable from processors. Where permitted by law, such amounts may be deducted; SME4ME does not pay interest on funds held prior to refund.

8. Funds Handling & Escrow

Investor funds are held with a licensed bank/escrow agent or payment service provider until release at a closing. If a refund is due, funds are returned from escrow or settlement accounts via the original payment method where feasible.

9. Refund Timelines (Typical)

The timelines below are indicative and may vary based on banks, card networks, and mobile money operators:

• Bank Transfer (Kenya): typically 3–7 business days after refund initiation.
• International/Wire: typically 5–10 business days; intermediary bank fees may apply.

We will email you when the refund is initiated; your financial institution's posting time is outside SME4ME's control.

10. Post‑Close Cancellations

After funds have been accepted at a closing, cancellations are not permitted except where required by law or where SME4ME/issuer determines that a transaction should be rescinded due to error, fraud, or regulatory reasons. In such cases, SME4ME will coordinate reversals and refunds as applicable.

11. Chargebacks, Disputes & Fraud Prevention

Unauthorized payment disputes ("chargebacks") may delay refunds and can result in account suspension. You agree to first contact SME4ME to resolve any payment issues. Where a chargeback is initiated improperly (e.g., after a valid close), SME4ME may provide evidence to the payment provider and may restrict future Platform access.

12. Oversubscriptions & Waitlists

If an offering is oversubscribed or allocation is reduced, amounts not accepted will be refunded. If you are waitlisted and not allocated by the relevant deadline, your commitment will be canceled and refunded.

13. Currencies & Cross‑Border Payments

Refunds are processed in the currency of the original payment. For cross‑border transactions, exchange‑rate movements and intermediary charges may cause differences between the original and returned amounts; SME4ME is not responsible for FX loss or third‑party charges, unless required by law.

14. Records & Notifications

Your dashboard will display the status of your commitments, cancellations, and refunds. Email notifications are sent on submission, acceptance, material changes, deadline updates, cancellations, and refund initiation.

15. Amendments to this Policy

SME4ME may update this Policy periodically. Material updates will be posted on the Platform with an updated effective date. Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

16. Contact

Questions about cancellations or refunds? Email support@sme2me.co.ke or contact us through our official channels.