Privacy Policy

Last updated: September 11, 2025

BigStartups (“we”, “our”, “us”) operates the Global Startups Network and Partners Hub — a platform connecting startups, investors, accelerators, and service partners worldwide. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your information when you use our websites, products, and services (collectively, the “Services”).

1. Information we collect

Account & profile

When you create an account or a partner/startup profile, we collect details such as name, email, password, organization, role/title, bio, location, links, logos/images, services offered, and preferences.

Usage & device data

We collect information about your interactions with the Services (pages visited, actions taken), device and browser information, IP address, approximate location, and referral sources. We may use analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics).

Content you share

Content published publicly (profiles, listings, posts) is visible to others and can be indexed by search engines. Public content may be copied or archived by third parties outside our control.

2. How we use your information

• Provide and improve the Services, including discovery within the Global Startups Network.
• Enable partner matchmaking and relevant recommendations.
• Communicate with you about your account, security, updates, and support.
• Personalize experiences and measure performance.
• Maintain platform safety, integrity, and compliance.

3. Legal bases (where applicable)

We process personal data based on one or more of the following: contract performance, legitimate interests (platform operation, safety, product improvement), legal obligations, and consent (where required).

4. Sharing of information

• Public content: Your public profiles and listings are visible to others across the network.
• Service providers: We share data with vendors who support our Services (hosting, analytics, customer support) under appropriate safeguards.
• Compliance & safety: We may disclose information to comply with law, enforce terms, or protect rights, safety, and security.

5. International transfers

We may transfer, store, and process information in countries other than your own. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for cross-border transfers.

Transfer safeguards

• Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) where applicable.
• Data Processing Agreements with service providers.
• Technical measures (encryption in transit and at rest where feasible).
• Organizational measures (access controls, least privilege).

6. Data retention

We retain information for as long as necessary to provide the Services and for legitimate business purposes, including legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

• Account data: retained while your account is active and for a reasonable period thereafter for compliance and auditing.
• Transactional/operational records: retained per statutory requirements and limitation periods.
• Marketing preferences: retained until you change or delete preferences or withdraw consent.
• Aggregated/anonymous data: may be retained without time limit where it cannot reasonably identify you.

7. Data controller and contact

For purposes of data protection laws, BigStartups is the controller of personal data processed through the Services. You may contact us at support@bigstartups.co.

8. Your choices & rights

• Access, update, or delete certain information in your account.
• Opt-out of non-essential communications where offered.
• Request additional rights under applicable laws (e.g., access/erasure). Contact us to exercise these rights.

EEA/UK/Swiss users (GDPR)

• Rights to access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, and objection.
• Right to withdraw consent at any time where processing is based on consent.
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority.

California residents (CCPA/CPRA)

• Right to know, delete, correct, and to non-discrimination.
• Right to opt out of sale/share of personal information and of cross-context behavioral advertising.

We do not sell personal information and do not share it for cross-context behavioral advertising as defined by the CCPA/CPRA. If this changes, we will update this Policy and provide appropriate opt-out mechanisms.

How to exercise your rights

Submit a request to support@bigstartups.co. We may need to verify your identity (e.g., via account email confirmation). Authorized agents may act on your behalf where permitted by law.

8. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to operate and improve the Services. You can control cookies via your browser settings. Some features may not function properly without cookies.

• Strictly necessary: authentication, security, session continuity.
• Performance/analytics: usage analytics to improve the Services.
• Functional: remember preferences and settings.
• Advertising (if used): measure and deliver relevant content. We currently do not use cross-context behavioral ads.

Do Not Track: Our Services do not currently respond to browser “Do Not Track” signals.

9. Security

We implement reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.

• Access controls and least-privilege practices.
• Encryption in transit (HTTPS) and at rest where feasible.
• Security monitoring and vulnerability management.
• Vendor risk management and contractual safeguards.

10. Automated decision-making

We do not engage in automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects without human review.

11. Children’s privacy

The Services are not directed to children under the age required by local law, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them.

12. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post updates on this page and, where required, notify you by additional means.

13. Contact us

If you have questions about this policy or your data, contact us at: support@bigstartups.co.

See also our Terms & Conditions.