1. Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly when you create an account, subscribe to our newsletter, submit a contact form, or interact with our Services:

  • Account information: email address and password
  • Profile information: name, company name, fundraising details (provided optionally after signup)
  • Contact form submissions: name, email, company, and message content
  • Newsletter subscriptions: email address

We also collect information automatically:

  • Usage data: pages visited, features used, search queries within the VC Directory
  • Device information: browser type, operating system, IP address
  • Referral data: UTM parameters, referring URL, advertising campaign identifiers

2. How We Use Your Information

We use collected information to:

  • Provide and maintain the Services
  • Process account creation and authentication
  • Send transactional emails (verification, password reset, account notifications)
  • Send marketing emails (newsletter, product updates) if you have opted in
  • Improve the Services through analytics and usage patterns
  • Measure advertising effectiveness and optimize campaigns
  • Respond to support requests and inquiries

3. Third-Party Services

We use the following third-party services to operate:

  • Supabase: database, authentication, and file storage
  • Vercel: website hosting and deployment
  • Kit (ConvertKit): email marketing and newsletter delivery
  • Resend: transactional email delivery
  • Stripe: payment processing (for paid subscriptions)
  • Sanity: content management
  • Meta (Facebook/Instagram), Google Analytics, LinkedIn: advertising pixels and analytics

Each of these services has its own privacy policy governing how they handle your data.

4. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies for authentication, analytics, and advertising. This includes:

  • Session cookies to keep you signed in
  • Analytics cookies (Google Analytics) to understand usage patterns
  • Advertising pixels (Meta Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag) to measure ad effectiveness

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect functionality.

5. Data Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We share data only with:

  • Third-party service providers listed above, solely for the purpose of operating the Services
  • Law enforcement or government agencies when required by law
  • ESO partner organizations, only if you signed up through a partner program and only to the extent of confirming your participation (not your usage data or personal details beyond what you consented to share)

6. Data Retention

We retain your account data for as long as your account is active. If you delete your account, we will remove your personal information within 30 days, except where required by law or legitimate business purposes (such as fraud prevention or financial records).

7. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access the personal information we hold about you
  • Request correction of inaccurate data
  • Request deletion of your account and personal data
  • Opt out of marketing emails at any time (click “unsubscribe” in any email)
  • Request a copy of your data in a portable format

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at tyler@thestartupverse.com.

8. Security

We use industry-standard security measures to protect your data, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), secure authentication (Supabase Auth), and row-level security policies on our database. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.

9. Children

The Services are not directed at individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from minors.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Material changes will be communicated via email or through the Services.

11. Contact

Questions about this policy? Contact us at tyler@thestartupverse.com.