OFFICIAL RULES FOR THE “TRAVESÍA AL ÉXITO EMPRESARIAL” COMPETITION OF PLAZA LAS AMÉRICAS, INC. AND BANCO POPULAR DE PUERTO RICO

1. DESCRIPTION. With the objective of fostering the development of new Puerto Rican entrepreneurs in the retail sector and providing the support they may need to promote the success of their businesses, Plaza Las Américas, Inc. (“Plaza Las Américas”) and Banco Popular de Puerto Rico (“Banco Popular,” and together with Plaza Las Américas, sometimes collectively referred to as the “organizers” and/or the “sponsors”) have joined in this business development initiative under the name “Travesía al Éxito Empresarial”.

“Travesía al Éxito Empresarial” is a competition promoted by Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular, which offers a platform of benefits and incentives to facilitate the establishment and growth of a new business at Plaza Las Américas. Participation is free of charge and does not require any purchase or payment by participants.

2. TERM OF THE INITIATIVE. “Travesía al Éxito Empresarial” (hereinafter, the “Competition”) begins on August 3^rd, 2026 and concludes on April 1^st, 2027 or on the date of execution of the Agreement referred to in Section 6(h) of these Rules, whichever occurs first.

3. PARTICIPATION DEADLINE. Participants must submit their participation electronically by accessing the participation form link at www.plazalasamericas.com in the Travesía al Éxito section by midnight on September 16^th, 2026 (the “Participation Deadline”).

4. PROMOTER. This Competition is promoted by Plaza Las Américas, whose contact information is as follows:

1. Mailing Address: PO Box 363268, San Juan, PR 00936-3268
2. Physical Address: 525 F.D. Roosevelt Ave., Hato Rey, PR 00918
3. Internet Address: https://www.plazalasamericas.com/

In collaboration with Banco Popular, whose contact information is as follows:

1. Mailing Address: (736) P.O. Box 362708, San Juan, PR 00936-2708
2. Physical Address: Ave. Muñoz Rivera #209, Piso 7, Suite 702, Hato Rey, PR 00918 (Oficina Central)
3. Internet Address: https://www.popular.com/

5. ELIGIBILITY. Any person who satisfies each of the following criteria shall be eligible to participate in the Competition:

1. Be a legal resident of Puerto Rico.
2. Be of legal age (twenty-one (21) years of age or older) as of the Participation Deadline.
3. The business must be established exclusively in Puerto Rico.
4. Participants must own at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the shares and/or ownership interest in the business and must hold managerial leadership positions therein.
5. The business may not be a franchise or subsidiary of another business established within or outside Puerto Rico.
6. The business may not have been operating in the market for more than six (6) years as of the Participation Deadline, but must have a minimum of two (2) years of sales experience validating the need for its product and its production capacity.
7. The business may not have been a tenant (an entrepreneur who has had a shop) in any shopping center in Puerto Rico during the twelve (12) months prior to the Participation Deadline.
8. Only one business may be submitted per participant or family unit.
9. The entrepreneurial initiative’s product must be compatible with the operation of carts at Plaza Las Américas and complement the shopping center’s store offering.
10. The following concepts shall not be considered in the Competition: jewelry, beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), clothing, footwear, pet items, cell phone accessories, as well as any type of services.
11. The following concepts shall be considered in the Competition: gastronomic products (preserves, gourmet items, non-perishable products, canned goods or items that do not require refrigeration), health and beauty (maternity items, skin care), fashion accessories (handbags, belts, scarves, hair accessories, wigs, extensions, etc.), sporting goods (sportswear and accessories such as bags, bottles, caps, towels, etc.), home goods (decorative accessories, kitchen utensils, candles, etc.), craft items (stationery, jewelry-making supplies, books, cards, etc.), local technology and innovation, educational toys, and plants or gardening items.
12. Employees of Plaza Las Américas, Banco Popular, their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising agencies, public relations agencies, consultants and sponsors who have been directly involved in the development, promotion or supervision of the Competition, as well as their immediate family members up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or second degree of affinity, and any other persons residing with such employees, may not participate in the Competition.
13. Winners of other editions of Travesía al Éxito Empresarial from Plaza Las Américas or Plaza Del Caribe shopping centers may not participate.

6. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION.

1. Participants must submit a business proposal that must comply with the following analysis elements: (1) Product and Company Description; (2) Target Market; (3) Prospective Customer; (4) Competitive Analysis; (5) Business Model and Sales Projections; (6) Management Team; (7) Concept Validation; (8) Marketing Plan; and (9) Operations. Participants must submit one photo or video of their product. If they have additional photos or videos, they may attach up to three (3).
2. The Competition organizers shall select the panel of judges that will evaluate each stage of the Competition.
3. Participants authorize their initial and final proposals to be shared with the members of the panel of judges that will evaluate each stage of the Competition.
4. The panel of judges may request additional information from participants in this Competition at any time to validate their eligibility and the information submitted.
5. The panel of judges reserves the right to disqualify any participant at any stage of the Competition if it is determined that the participant failed to comply with the requirements, submitted false information, or for any other valid reason.
6. The panel of judges and the organizers reserve the right not to select any winners in this Competition if no participant is identified who meets the program requirements and/or the policies of the shopping center.
7. The business that is ultimately selected as the winner shall undertake to comply with all policies and regulations of Plaza Las Américas, Inc. and all laws, permits and regulations applicable in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
8. In order to receive the full Competition prize, as detailed and described in Section 8 of these Rules (hereinafter, the “Prize”), the winner must execute an agreement with Plaza Las Américas Inc., which shall be shared with the finalists before they submit their final business plan (the “Agreement”), and must also have a commercial account with Banco Popular.
9. By participating, competitors grant Plaza Las Américas, Banco Popular, their sponsors, endorsers, parent company and affiliates, advertising agencies, public relations and promotions agencies, and contracted mentors the right to use their name, likeness, voice, photographs, videos or image of their business in advertisements through any advertising medium, within or outside Puerto Rico, to disclose the information authorized in their participation, without any compensation whatsoever.
10. By submitting their entries, participants certify that they have read the Competition rules and accepted them as drafted, voluntarily deciding to participate therein without any further requirement.

7. SELECTION OF POTENTIAL WINNER.

1. Business proposals submitted within the dates indicated for this Competition shall be evaluated by a panel of judges, who shall select a maximum of ten (10) semifinalists in order of score. Semifinalists shall be notified on or before Monday, September 28^th, 2026. To be considered a semifinalist, a minimum score of 36 points must be obtained in the evaluation by the panel of judges. In the event of a tie, the judges may select additional semifinalists.
2. The ten (10) semifinalists must make a presentation/interview of approximately twenty (20) minutes before the panel of judges on Friday, October 2^nd, 2026. Participation by the semifinalists in this presentation/interview is mandatory. They must also bring samples of their products. Following the interviews, the panel of judges shall select a maximum of five (5) finalists from among the ten (10) semifinalists, who shall be announced on Monday, October 5^th, 2026.
3. The five (5) finalists must attend a workshop on Friday, October 9^th, 2026. Participation by the finalists in the workshop shall be compulsory.
4. The five (5) finalists undertake to participate in the videos, press interviews and presentations prepared or coordinated by the sponsors for this and other promotional events.
5. The five (5) finalists shall appear during the “Travesía al Éxito Showcase” event to be held at Plaza Las Américas on Friday, October 16^th and Saturday, October 17^th, 2026.
6. The five (5) finalists must submit a complete business plan on or before Friday, October 30^th, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Such business plan must follow the parameters and formats notified at the workshop. The business plan shall be submitted electronically by accessing the Business Plan link at www.plazalasamericas.com in the Travesía Al Éxito section. No business plans shall be accepted after 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30^th, 2026.
7. The five (5) finalists must present their business proposals before the panel of judges on Monday, November 9^th, 2026. Any finalist who fails to present his or her proposal on such date shall be disqualified from the Competition. Each finalist shall have seven (7) minutes for the presentation, thirteen (13) minutes for questions and answers, and must bring samples of their products.
8. The participant who obtains the highest score shall be selected as the winner of Travesía al Éxito Empresarial. The final decision and/or selection of the panel of judges shall be final and binding.
9. In the event that the selected winner is disqualified or an agreement is not finalized, the organizers reserve the right to select the next highest-scoring participant among the finalists as the new winner of the Competition.
10. The judges may request additional information from participants in this Competition at any time to validate their eligibility and the information submitted.
11. The judges reserve the right to disqualify any participant at any stage of the Competition if it is determined that the participant failed to comply with the requirements, submitted false information, or for any other valid reason.
12. The organizers reserve the right not to select any winners in this Competition if no participant is identified who meets the program requirements and/or the policies of the Plaza Las Américas shopping center.

8. PRIZE. The winner of this Competition shall be awarded the following “Prize”:

Banco Popular and Plaza Las Américas, Inc. reserve the right to substitute the Prize with another prize of equal or greater value. The Prize is not transferable and may not be substituted, in whole or in part, by the Competition winner, nor may it be exchanged for cash. The winner shall be solely responsible for any applicable federal, state and/or local taxes related to the acceptance and receipt of the Prize, as well as any other related costs.

9. NOTICE TO POTENTIAL WINNER. The potential winner shall be notified personally or by telephone call and/or email. The potential winner shall be announced on or before Monday, November 9^th, 2026. If the selected participant is disqualified or an agreement is not finalized, Plaza Las Américas, Inc. reserves the right to select a new winner from among the remaining finalists. The new winner would be the finalist who obtained the second highest score. The potential winner must respond within a period of forty-eight (48) hours from the notification to claim the Prize (the “Term”). If the potential winner does not respond within the Term, the potential winner shall be deemed to have waived the Prize, and an alternate potential winner shall be notified (in the same manner as a potential winner), who shall have the same Term to respond.

10. DELIVERY OF THE PRIZE. Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular shall coordinate delivery of the Prize. Prior to receiving the Prize, the winner must:

1. Submit a copy of his or her valid driver’s license or other valid government-issued photo identification; and
2. Sign and deliver to Banco Popular a Certification of Eligibility and Release of Liability.

The cash prize, corresponding to $20,000.00, shall be disbursed in two (2) payments. The first payment, equivalent to fifty percent (50%), shall be made by electronic transfer to the winner’s commercial account at Banco Popular within a period of five (5) business days from the date the winner claims the Prize. The remaining fifty percent (50%), that is, the sum of $10,000.00, shall be delivered upon execution of the Agreement with Plaza Las Américas. If the winner does not have a commercial account with Banco Popular, the winner must complete the required commercial account opening process prior to delivery of the first payment.

Banco Popular reserves the right to select an equivalent method of awarding the $20,000 to the winner, such as by debit card, money order, or other method.

11. WINNER’S UNDERTAKINGS.

1. The winner must obtain the necessary permits and open his or her cart at Plaza Las Américas on or before April 1^st, 2027.
2. The winner undertakes to provide information regarding his or her progress on a monthly basis and to meet with the assigned mentor for six (6) months from the selection of the winner. All business decisions shall be made by the winner, and the mentor’s collaboration shall be limited to guidance and general recommendations.
3. The winner must submit reports of his or her monthly sales in a timely manner in accordance with the provisions of the Agreement.

12. DISQUALIFICATIONS. Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular reserve the right to evaluate each participant to determine his or her eligibility to participate in the Competition and compliance with these Rules and any applicable requirement. Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular may disqualify any participant (including winners), at any time, for failure to comply with these Rules and any applicable requirement. Any attempt to violate any of these Rules and/or to provide false information shall be processed in accordance with applicable laws.

13. CONSENT TO USE OF IMAGE. By accepting the Prize, the winner consents to and grants Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular, Inc., their respective parent companies, subsidiaries and their respective advertising, promotions and public relations agencies, the irrevocable right to use his or her image (including name, photograph, portrait, voice, signature, attribute or any representation of his or her person) for any purpose related to the Competition (including commercial, mercantile or advertising purposes), through any medium, anywhere in the world and for an unlimited period of time, without notice, consent or compensation of any kind.

14. RELEASE OF LIABILITY.

(a)  Participants release and discharge Plaza Las Américas (its directors, officers, employees and agents) and Banco Popular (its directors, officers, employees, agents, parent company, subsidiaries and affiliates) and other sponsors from any and all liability and from any injury, loss or damage of any kind suffered by the participant, his or her business, heirs, successors or family members in connection with this Competition and with the establishment and operation of the business related to the award granted and accepted.

(b) The liability of Plaza Las Américas, Banco Popular, consultants and the other sponsors and endorsers is and shall be limited to the awarding and delivery of the Prize. Once the Prize has been awarded, no claims of any kind shall be accepted. Each and every obligation of Plaza Las Américas, Banco Popular and the other sponsors and endorsers toward the winner shall cease and be fully satisfied upon the awarding and delivery of the Prize. Plaza Las Américas, Banco Popular and the other sponsors and endorsers shall not be responsible for any accident, damage or loss, direct or indirect, caused to the winner or to any other business or person in connection with the awarding, use or operation of the commercial concept of the Prize.

15. PRIVACY POLICY. The Promoter undertakes to protect and maintain the confidentiality of participants’ personal data, as well as patrimonial and/or sensitive data, in accordance with and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Visiting the website, as well as providing Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”), is entirely voluntary; however, failure to provide the requested information will prevent participation in the Competition.

By providing PII, you accept the conditions contained in this Privacy Policy. In addition, you agree that the information may be stored and used for commercial and advertising purposes related to this Competition. You also authorize the Promoter to share, compile, summarize, communicate and transmit the personal data received from participants with the other Competition organizers, their affiliates and advertising agencies, in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable laws, and you certify that all information you provide about yourself is true.

The information shall be recognized and stored, including the Internet Protocol Address (also known as “IP” or “Internet Protocol”) and any other address through which the page is accessed. “Cookies” shall be used for this purpose. Your name, email address and any other personal information provided shall also be stored solely for commercial and market evaluation purposes.

Participants’ information and data shall only be used in accordance with these Rules and the Privacy Policy. However, your information may be disclosed by the Promoter if required by any law, governmental regulation, municipal ordinance or court order. In such case, you release and forever discharge the Promoter from any liability for any disclosure of information made in compliance with any law, governmental regulation, municipal ordinance or court order.

The Promoter reserves the right, in its sole and exclusive discretion, to change, in whole or in part and at any time, any part of the page www.plazalasamericas.com or its content, the terms and conditions of the Competition and/or the Privacy Policy. Such changes shall be effective upon publication on said website. Mere access to the page shall be deemed acceptance of the changes, and you agree to be bound by them.

16. META. The Competition is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram or any other social network. Participants release Facebook, Instagram and any other social network from any liability related to the Competition.

17. APPLICABLE LAWS. This Competition is subject to all applicable laws and regulations of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (“Applicable Laws”). Plaza Las Américas and Banco Popular reserve the right to suspend or cancel the Competition; or to modify these Rules, their terms and conditions, or the announced Prize.

18. ACCEPTANCE; RULES. Participation in the Competition shall constitute full acceptance of these Rules and the decisions of the organizers, which shall be final and binding. The Competition Rules shall be available at the Plaza Las Américas Customer Service Center during its respective hours of operation and on the following address: http://www.plazalasamericas.com/travesiaempresarial