FAQs

General

What is HILLink?
HILLink connects college athletes with nearby businesses for NIL (Name-Image-Likeness) promotions. We make it simple for athletes to earn and for businesses to grow through authentic, local partnerships.

When does HILLink launch?
We’re targeting January 2026. You can join the waitlist today to secure early access.

Where is HILLink available?
We support campaigns nationwide. Athletes see opportunities near their campus; businesses can target athletes near their storefront(s) or service area.

How does matching work?
Businesses post a campaign → eligible nearby athletes get notified → athletes claim open slots → business approves and tracks results.

Is HILLink an agency?
No. We’re a marketplace/platform. You keep control over your brand and deals.


For Athletes

Who can join?
Any eligible college athlete who complies with school/state/NCAA NIL rules. You’re responsible for confirming your institution’s requirements.

How do I get paid?
Campaigns list compensation upfront. Lower tiers may be in-kind rewards; upper tiers include cash payouts. Payments are issued after you complete required deliverables and the campaign window ends.

What are athlete tiers?
HILLink uses gamified tiers that unlock more campaigns and pay types:

  • Bronze – entry level (typical per-campaign business cost: $35)

  • Silver – growing audience ($65)

  • Gold – established presence ($100)

  • Platinum – top creators/standouts ($150+)
    (Those dollar figures are what businesses are charged per slot; your take-home and bonuses are shown in the campaign details.)

How do I move up tiers?
Complete campaigns on time, keep quality high, follow brief instructions, and maintain good engagement. Consistency unlocks Silver → Gold → Platinum.

What kinds of campaigns exist?
Social posts (IG/TikTok/Reels), event appearances, content collabs, product try-ons, local promos, referral codes, and more.

Can I decline offers?
Yes. Only claim campaigns you want. You’re never obligated.

Do I need prior brand deals?
No. Start at Bronze and build your profile.

Taxes & compliance?
Earnings may be taxable. We provide basic guidance and records, but you’re responsible for reporting and following your school/state rules.


For Businesses

How does pricing work?
Every business pays a $250/month base subscription for platform access. Campaign spend then depends on the athlete tiers you select (Bronze $35, Silver $65, Gold $100, Platinum $200 per athlete slot).
Business plan tiers control how many athlete slots you can open per campaign:

  • Tier 1: 3 slots

  • Tier 2: 6 slots

  • Tier 3: 12 slots

  • Tier 4: 20+ slots

What do I get with the subscription?
Campaign creation tools, local athlete discovery, messaging, basic analytics, and automated renewals to keep momentum going.

How do I target locally?
Pick your service radius or specific campuses. Athletes within that area get notified first.

What deliverables can I require?
You choose: number of posts/stories, media format, captions/hashtags, in-store visits, UGC rights, unique links or discount codes, etc.

How do approvals work?
Set brief + requirements → athletes claim → you approve → content goes live → results tracked in your dashboard.

How are results measured?
We track claimed slots, content links, engagement basics, and redemptions via codes/links. (Optional: connect social accounts for deeper diagnostics.)

Can I run recurring campaigns?
Yes. You can auto-renew successful campaigns and keep your best performers engaged month-to-month.

What kinds of businesses benefit most?
Local restaurants, fitness studios, boutiques, salons, car care, real estate teams, campus services, and any community-driven brand.


Safety, Rules & Eligibility

Is HILLink NCAA-compliant?
We’re built for NIL. You must follow your school/state/NCAA policies (no pay-for-play, no recruiting inducements, etc.). We provide checklists and prompts inside campaign setup, but ultimate compliance is up to you.

Content guidelines?
No hate, illegal activity, substances or unsafe content. Campaigns violating policy will result in termination of account.

Verification
We verify athlete status and school affiliation. Businesses may be asked to verify ownership/location.


Billing & Accounts

Do you offer a free trial?
We plan to offer a limited trial for businesses at launch (reduced or waived base fee for the first period). Join the waitlist to be notified.

Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Cancel your subscription before the next billing cycle to avoid renewal. Campaign spend to date remains due.

What happens to my data if I cancel?
Your account is deactivated; we retain records required for legal/financial purposes. You can request exports.

Refunds
Completed campaign slots are non-refundable. If an athlete fails to deliver, our dispute process covers make-goods or credits.


Product & Tech

Can athletes connect social accounts?
Yes—social connections enable better diagnostics (impressions, engagement, growth) that power leaderboards and XP.

Support
Chat support and a help center are available. Priority support is included for higher business tiers.