The terms and conditions for educational institutions using Pebble outline key responsibilities related to platform use, project facilitation, and intellectual property. Platform Access & Licensing: Institutions are granted access to Pebble under a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) agreement, enabling them to support project-based learning by managing internal and external project briefs involving students and third parties. Project Creation & Oversight: Educators facilitate both institution-led projects and collaborations with external businesses. Projects are managed within the scope of the curriculum, with appropriate student supervision. Intellectual Property (IP): Ownership and usage rights relating to student work are determined by project type and industry context. In some sectors (e.g. engineering or tech), IP may transfer to the external partner where compensation is provided. In creative industries, usage rights are typically licensed—ensuring fair use while respecting student authorship. These agreements are formalised between the student, institution, and external party as appropriate. Confidentiality & Data Protection: Institutions must protect sensitive information shared through projects and ensure compliance with data protection laws (e.g. GDPR). They are also expected to support student adherence to confidentiality obligations.

Using Pebble provides several strategic benefits for educational institutions: Real-World Learning Opportunities: Pebble connects students with live industry projects that align with curriculum goals and enhance practical learning. Simplified Project Oversight: Institutions can manage internal and external learning experiences in one place—ensuring smoother coordination and greater visibility. Industry Collaboration: Pebble supports structured partnerships between education and business, encouraging long-term, mutually beneficial engagement. Insight to Support Learning: Project feedback and outcomes can inform curriculum development, learner support, and skills-focused interventions. Flexible IP Management: Pebble enables clear IP arrangements that reflect the nature of the project and protect the interests of students and partners. Recruitment and Promotion: Project success stories and student outcomes can strengthen institutional marketing, reputation, and course enrolment. Pebble helps institutions embed real-world learning more effectively—boosting student employability, supporting strategic partnerships, and improving educational impact.

Pebble streamlines collaboration and oversight across students, educators, and industry partners—making it easier to deliver real-world learning through structured, trackable projects.

Pebble offers a wide variety of hands-on projects—from live collaborations with real businesses to interdisciplinary projects within the classroom. These span industries and subject areas, allowing students to apply their skills across creative, technical, and enterprise-focused briefs. Students can contribute to meaningful outcomes such as logo design, podcast production, app development, product prototyping, choreography, VR environments, CAD drawings, social media campaigns, game design, stage lighting design, and much more. While Pebble has strong roots in the Creative Industries, it now supports a growing range of subject areas including Construction, Engineering, Business, Computing, and Training & Skills. Want to hear from others? Explore our Testimonials to see the impact of Pebble in action.

Pebble protects institutional and student data through robust privacy and security measures: Regulatory Compliance: Pebble complies with GDPR and other relevant data protection laws, ensuring personal data is handled responsibly. Encrypted Data Transfer: All data shared between users and the platform is encrypted to safeguard against unauthorized access. Controlled Access: Role-based permissions help ensure that only authorised users can access relevant project or student information. Risk Assessment Practices: Where required, Pebble supports data protection reviews to assess and minimise potential risks. Secure Storage: Data is stored in line with industry standards to protect institutional, student, and business information.

Pebble is a revolutionary platform that facilitates collaboration and streamlines processes for many stakeholders in educational institutions. Please contact us to find out more information about how Pebble streamlines many processes within the college ecosystem for students, academic and support staff!

In Pebble’s legal framework, Intellectual Property (IP) rights are managed based on industry norms. In fields such as technology, engineering, and construction, IP is typically transferred to the business when a student is compensated for their work—giving the organisation full ownership of project outcomes. In creative sectors like media, design, and performing arts, businesses receive a license to use the student’s work rather than full ownership. This ensures creative rights are protected while still allowing commercial use, under agreed terms between the student, the institution, and the business. For detailed terms, please refer to Pebble’s legal documentation covering IP use across sectors.

Pebble ensures data security and privacy for industry and community users through the following measures: GDPR Compliance: Pebble adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other relevant privacy laws, ensuring that all personal and business data is handled securely and in compliance with legal requirements. Data Encryption: Pebble uses encryption to protect data during transmission, ensuring that sensitive information shared between industry or community users and the platform is safeguarded from unauthorized access. Access Controls: Role-based access controls ensure that only authorized individuals can access project-related information, providing enhanced security for sensitive data. Secure Data Storage: Pebble stores all data in secure, industry-standard cloud environments, ensuring that user information is protected from breaches or data loss. Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA): Pebble conducts DPIAs to evaluate and minimize privacy risks, especially when handling sensitive industry or community data. These comprehensive measures ensure that industry and community users can confidently use Pebble while maintaining the security and privacy of their data.

Summary of Key Terms for External Users (Industry & Community) Platform Access: External users (e.g. businesses, charities) receive non-exclusive, non-transferable access to the Pebble platform to post projects and collaborate with students. Project Listings: External users may post multiple projects and are responsible for ensuring listings are accurate, complete, and aligned with institutional expectations. Project Assistance: Student contributions form part of their educational experience. External users are expected to provide timely feedback and evaluation upon completion. Confidentiality: Information shared through Pebble must be treated as confidential and used solely for the purpose of the project. Intellectual Property (IP): In technical and commercial industries, IP may be assigned to the business where compensation is provided. In creative sectors, businesses typically receive a license to use the student’s work under agreed terms. User Responsibilities: External users must act professionally, uphold legal and ethical standards, and engage respectfully with students and staff. Liability: Pebble is not responsible for the quality of student work or any disputes that may arise between parties. This summary is provided for guidance only. Please refer to the full external user terms and conditions for legally binding details.

Anyone can use Pebble—whether you're an individual, SME, charity, community group, or established business. By registering, you can post project briefs and collaborate with students—gaining fresh ideas, innovative solutions, and access to emerging talent across multiple disciplines. Why Partner Through Pebble? Access Emerging Talent Collaborate with highly motivated students eager to apply their learning. Cost-Effective Innovation Receive fresh ideas at minimal cost. While payment is optional, digital gift credit can be offered for high-quality contributions—potentially recorded as a tax-deductible business expense.* Build a Future Talent Pipeline Share your industry, values, and work culture—while identifying potential future hires. Contribute to Social Value Strengthen your CSR profile and support education by engaging in community-driven student projects. Be Part of an Innovation Ecosystem Explore new ideas and co-create with student teams to help shape the future of your sector.

When a business offers compensation—such as a digital gift credit—for a student’s project contribution, intellectual property (IP) rights are typically transferred to the business, depending on the project type and industry. In sectors like technology, engineering, and construction, IP is generally assigned to the business when fair compensation is provided. In creative fields such as design, media, or performing arts, businesses receive a licence to use the work, rather than full ownership. This approach ensures that creative rights are respected while still enabling commercial use under agreed terms between the student, the business, and the institution. For full legal terms, please refer to Pebble’s stakeholder-specific Terms and Conditions.

Some key benefits of using Pebble include: Access to a talented pool of students with diverse skill sets. Fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to industry challenges. Opportunity to support and mentor the next generation of talent. Streamlined project management and communication processes. Enhanced social value by contributing to student development and education.

Industry and community users can post a wide range of projects on Pebble, from small tasks to large-scale initiatives. These projects can span various industries such as art and design, media and multimedia, music and performing arts, hair and beauty, marketing + advertising, technology, engineering, construction, hospitality and more. Where Does It Happen? Pebble Projects are delivered within the classroom, supported by teaching staff. Businesses typically engage remotely—via Microsoft Teams—to give guidance, direction, and feedback during scheduled touchpoints. Student work may contribute to coursework or formal assessment. Project Scale and Timescale: Projects can range from short, focused briefs to multi-phase campaigns. While most align with academic timelines, short-turnaround projects (2–4 weeks) may also be accommodated with advance planning. Who Are the Students? Projects are matched with students based on course focus and academic level (Levels 2–6). Depending on the nature of the brief, this may include early-stage learners or advanced final-year students.

Yes, Pebble is completely free to register and use. There are no hidden costs, and external users are under no obligation to compensate students for their project work. However, if a business wishes to recognise a student’s contribution, they may choose to offer a digital gift credit (e.g. an Amazon voucher) at their own discretion, provided the work meets their expectations. Any rewards are voluntary and can be discussed with the educational institution or managed securely through Pebble’s platform.