1. Information We Collect
We collect information to provide, improve, and personalize our services. The types of information we collect include:
a. Information You Provide Directly
- Account Information: When you register for an account, we collect your name, email address, phone number, company name, job title, and other relevant details such as your role (e.g., founder or investor).
- Profile Information: Founders and investors may provide additional details, such as business descriptions, pitch decks, investment preferences, industry focus, or professional background, to enhance their profiles and facilitate meaningful connections.
- Communication Data: Information you provide when communicating through our platform, such as messages, meeting requests, or feedback.
- Transaction Information: Financial details provided for subscription plans or paid services, processed securely by third-party payment providers (e.g., Stripe). We do not store your payment card details.
- Event and Meeting Data: Details related to scheduling or attending virtual or in-person meetings, such as meeting preferences, availability, or calendar integrations (e.g., Google Calendar, Microsoft Teams).
b. Information Collected Automatically
- Usage Data: Information about how you interact with the platform, including pages visited, features used, time spent, and click patterns.
- Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, and other technical information collected when you access our platform.
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to enhance user experience, analyze platform performance, and deliver personalized content. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool.
c. Information from Third Parties
- Linked Accounts: If you connect third-party services (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, or Slack) to your FounderUplift account, we may receive data such as your username, email, or profile information.
- Publicly Available Information: We may collect publicly available data, such as company websites or LinkedIn profiles, to verify user identities or enhance platform profiles.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to operate, improve, and secure the FounderUplift platform. Specific purposes include:
- Facilitating Connections: Matching founders with investors based on shared interests, goals, and industry focuses to enable meaningful meetings and collaborations.
- Platform Functionality: Providing core services, such as account management, profile creation, messaging, meeting scheduling, and notifications.
- Improving User Experience: Analyzing usage data to optimize platform performance, enhance features, and personalize content or recommendations.
- Communication: Sending platform-related updates, meeting reminders, or responses to your inquiries. We may also send promotional emails about events or opportunities (you can opt out at any time).
- Security and Fraud Prevention: Monitoring platform activity to detect and prevent fraudulent, harmful, or unauthorized actions.
- Legal Compliance: Ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and contractual obligations.
3. Legal Basis for Processing
Under GDPR and other applicable laws, we process your personal data based on the following legal grounds:
- Contractual Necessity: To provide the services you request, such as account creation, profile management, and meeting facilitation.
- Legitimate Interests: To improve our platform, ensure security, and offer personalized experiences, provided these interests do not override your rights.
- Consent: For certain activities, such as sending promotional emails or using non-essential cookies, where you have provided explicit consent.
- Legal Obligation: To comply with legal requirements, such as tax or reporting obligations.
4. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information. We may share your data in the following cases:
- With Other Users: Profile information you choose to share (e.g., business descriptions, investment preferences) may be visible to other verified users to facilitate connections. You control what information is shared in your profile.
- Service Providers: We engage trusted third-party providers (e.g., payment processors, cloud hosting, analytics tools) to support platform operations. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your data and comply with applicable regulations.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, such as in response to a court order, subpoena, or regulatory request.
- Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity, with safeguards to ensure continued protection.
5. Data Retention
We retain your personal data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by law. For example:
- Account information is retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period after account deletion to comply with legal obligations.
- Usage data is retained for analytics purposes, typically for up to 2 years, unless required for longer due to legal or security reasons.
- You may request deletion of your data at any time (see Section 8).
6. Data Security
We implement industry-standard security measures to protect your information, including:
- Encryption of data in transit and at rest.
- Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments.
- Access controls to limit data access to authorized personnel only.
- Secure third-party integrations (e.g., payment processors, calendar tools).
Despite these measures, no online platform can guarantee absolute security. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials.
7. International Data Transfers
FounderUplift operates globally, and your data may be processed in countries outside your region, including the United States or European Economic Area (EEA). We ensure that any international data transfers comply with applicable laws, such as GDPR, by using Standard Contractual Clauses or other approved mechanisms to maintain equivalent data protection standards.
8. Your Rights
Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:
- Access: Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Rectification: Correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Deletion: Request deletion of your data, subject to legal or contractual limitations.
- Restriction: Limit how we process your data in certain circumstances.
- Portability: Receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Objection: Object to processing based on legitimate interests, including for marketing purposes.
- Withdraw Consent: Withdraw consent for data processing where consent is the legal basis.
To exercise these rights, contact us at privacy@founderuplift.com. We will respond within the timeframes required by law (typically 30 days under GDPR).
9. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze usage, and deliver personalized content. Cookies may include:
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for platform functionality (e.g., session management).
- Performance Cookies: Collect anonymized data to improve platform performance.
- Functional Cookies: Enable features like personalized settings or social media sharing.
- Advertising Cookies: Deliver relevant ads based on your interests (with your consent).
You can manage cookie preferences through our cookie consent tool or your browser settings. For more information, visit https://allaboutcookies.org/.
10. Third-Party Links and Integrations
The FounderUplift platform may include links to third-party websites or integrations with tools like LinkedIn, Google Calendar, or Microsoft Teams. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third parties. We recommend reviewing their privacy policies before using their services.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
12. Contact Us
If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:
- Email: privacy@founderuplift.com
- Address: FounderUplift, 123 Innovation Lane, Tech City, TC 12345, USA
For GDPR-related inquiries, you may also contact our Data Protection Officer at dpo@founderuplift.com.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in your region, such as the Information Commissioner’s Office (UK) or a data protection authority in the EU/EEA.
This Privacy Policy is designed to ensure transparency and trust as you use the FounderUplift platform to connect with founders and investors. Thank you for choosing FounderUplift!