Privacy Policy

To provide our services and conduct our business activities, we collect and process personal data about existing and prospective partners, related persons, third parties and other persons as well as their representatives, and (former) employees. Moreover, we collect and process personal data when you offer us services or products, when we examine your products or services and in general, whenever you ask us for or supply us with information.

We may collect personal identification information in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit our site, register on the site, place an order, fill out a form, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Site. Users may be asked for, as appropriate, names and contact data (such as postal address, e-mail address and telephone number), nationality, business sectors of interest, employment history, further information based on your persona for example university, field of study, seed stage, AuM and all kinds of information from correspondence, contacts and interactions with us.

We also process all kinds of information disclosed to or collected by us in relation to our services. Such information may exceptionally include sensitive personal data. Whenever necessary, we will seek your consent before processing sensitive personal data. Users may, however, visit our Website anonymously. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to provide personal identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities.

Additionally, we collect and process the following personal data about applicants to our formats and programs: their personal details, contact data, application documents (e.g. letter of motivation, CV, certificates of employment, diplomas, letters of reference, etc.).

We collect and store the names of our alumni, along with their contact data (such as their postal address, e-mail address and telephone number), information about their employment at our organization and thereafter, and other information that we receive from them.

Furthermore, photographs and video recordings will be made at the events of START Global. These will be used for public relations work (including social media) and will also serve to permanently document the events (offline and online and can thus also be accessed outside Europe).

Finally, our website server temporarily saves information about your use of our website. Such information includes, among other things, the IP address, date and time of access, the name and URL of the file opened, the website from which the access is made, the browser used (including the version), the operating system (including the version) of the computer used and the name of the user's access provider. We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users' means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.

Our Site may use "cookies" to enhance User experience. Users' web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes for tracking information about them. Users may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.

START Global's legal basis for the processing of your personal data is our legitimate interest pursuant to Art. 6 para. 1 lit. f GDPR. START Global may collect and use Users-personal information for the following purposes:

• To run and operate our Site: We may need your information to display content on the Site correctly.
• To improve customer service: Information you provide helps us respond to your customer service requests and support needs more efficiently.
• To personalize user experience: We may use information in the aggregate to understand how our Users as a group use the services and resources provided on our Site.
• To process payments: We may use the information Users provide about themselves when placing an order only to provide service to that order.
• For safety and security: We use information about you and your Service use to verify accounts and activity, to monitor suspicious or fraudulent activity and to identify violations of Service policies.
• To protect our legitimate business interests and legal rights: Where required by law or where we believe it is necessary to protect our legal rights, interests and the interests of others, we use information about you in connection with legal claims, compliance, regulatory, and audit functions.
• For outreach: If you are a former member or partner of START Global, we collect your personal data in order to keep in touch with you.
• To control applications: Whenever you apply for a position at START Global or to one of our programs and formats (Side Events, Workshops, Speed Dating etc.) you are obligated to share certain personal data to us. By submitting your application, you make it possible for us to use and examine that information so that we can invite you to an application interview and decide whether you are suitable for the position.
• To send periodic emails: We may use the email address to send User information and updates pertaining to their order. It may also be used to respond to their inquiries, questions, and/or other requests.

We do not share this information with outside parties except to the extent necessary to provide the service.

We adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site. We use a CRM and several APIs to connect to third party providers for mailing, data collection, payment method, for accounting etc.

We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and users with our business partners, trusted affiliates and advertisers for the purposes outlined above. We may use third party service providers to help us operate our business and the Site or administer activities on our behalf, such as sending out newsletters or surveys. We may store your information with these third parties for those limited purposes.

You are entitled to the following rights:

• Right to information about your personal data and aspects of processing
• Right to correction (or also completion) of your data
• Right to data erasure
• Right to restriction of data processing
• Right to data portability (data transferability)
• Right to revoke a previously given consent (also unsubscribe newsletter)
• Right to object to data processing
• Rights related to automated decision-making and profiling
• Right to know the data we have from you and delete your data

To assert your rights, you can write us an email at any time or contact us via our contact form. The exercise of these rights requires that you clearly prove your identity.

Please note that START Global reserves the right to assert the restrictions provided for by law, for example if it is obliged to retain or process certain data, has an overriding interest in doing so (as far as it is entitled to rely on this) or if it is required for the assertion of claims.

START Global may support the rights of data subjects vis-à-vis third parties to the extent that this is objectively possible.

Users may find advertising or other content on our Site that link to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors and other third parties. We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own Privacy Policy and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other websites, including websites which have a link to our Site, is subject to that website's own terms and policies.

If a User decides to opt-in to our mailing list, they will receive emails that may include company news, updates, related product or service information, etc. We may use third party service providers to help us operate our business and the Site or administer activities on our behalf, such as sending out newsletters or surveys. We may share your information with these third parties for those limited purposes provided that you have given us your permission. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Google Analytics and AdWords: We use a tool called Google Analytics. This tool uses so-called "cookies", text files which are being stored on your computer and enable the analysis of your usage of the website. Only you can prevent your browser software from storing cookies. In order to do this, you have to change your settings although some features will be deactivated.

Facebook and Instagram Ads (Facebook Pixel): We use "Facebook Pixel" on our website, a service of Meta Platforms Ireland Ltd. If you have given us your consent, we use Facebook Pixel for marketing and optimization purposes to place relevant ads for you on Facebook and Instagram.

LinkedIn Tracking Pixel: We use the conversion tracking technology and the retargeting function of LinkedIn Ireland Unlimited Company on our website to play personalised advertisements on LinkedIn to visitors of our website.

Google Tag Manager: Our website uses Google Tag Manager to support us in adding and updating website tags including conversion tracking and site analytics.

MATEO WebChat: On our website we use the MATEO web widget for chat functionality. When you use WebChat, we process personal data including your name, email, IP address, and conversation content.

WhatsApp: We offer you the option of contacting us via WhatsApp. If you use this channel, we will process your name, telephone number and other data you provide. For sending and receiving messages, the service 'Mateo' is used.

Once the legal basis for data processing ceases to exist or the collected data no longer serves the pursuit of a specific purpose of START Global, it will be deleted, unless there are legal or contractual reasons against the deletion. On your request you have cancelled your consent via email, all data connected to you will be deleted or anonymized.

We also store your personal data to comply with our various statutory and regulatory obligations of documentation and record-keeping. Personal data of applicants to our formats and programs to whom we cannot offer a position will be deleted six months after cancellation at the latest. With the consent of applicants, we may store the collected personal data for a longer period to offer the applicant any other positions at our organization.

START Global has the discretion to update this Privacy Policy at any time. When we do, we will post a notification on the main page of our Site. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this Privacy Policy periodically and become aware of modifications.

By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.