Privacy Policy

Startup Dose ("Startup Dose," "we," "us," or "our") operates the website located at startupdose.com and related services (collectively, the "Service"). This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information about you when you use the Service.

By accessing or using Startup Dose, you agree to this Privacy Policy.

We collect information in three ways: (a) information you provide, (b) information collected automatically, and (c) information from third parties.

A. Information you provide

Depending on how you use the Service, you may provide:

• Contact information: such as your name and email address when you subscribe to our newsletter, join a waitlist, contact us, or submit a startup.
• Submission content: information you include in a startup submission form (e.g., company name, website, description, social links, and contact details).
• Communications: content of messages or emails you send us.

B. Information collected automatically

When you visit Startup Dose, we may automatically collect:

• Device and usage data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, operating system, pages viewed, time spent on pages, referring/exit pages, clicks, and other activity.
• Approximate location: inferred from your IP address.
• Cookies and similar technologies: used for functionality, analytics, and remembering preferences.

C. Information from third parties

We may receive information about you from:

• Analytics providers (e.g., Google Analytics, Plausible, PostHog).
• Email service providers (e.g., Mailchimp, Beehiiv, ConvertKit) when you subscribe or engage with emails (e.g., opens/clicks).
• Social platforms when you interact with embedded content (e.g., X/Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube). These platforms may collect data per their own policies.

We use information to:

1. Provide and operate the Service, including publishing startup features and maintaining website functionality.
2. Send newsletters or updates you requested and manage subscriptions.
3. Respond to inquiries, feedback, or requests.
4. Analyze usage to understand engagement and improve content and performance.
5. Secure the Service and prevent fraud or abuse.
6. Comply with legal obligations and enforce our terms.

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• keep the Service working properly,
• remember preferences (like theme settings), and
• measure performance and engagement.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Where required by law, we will request consent before placing non-essential cookies.

Analytics: We may use third-party analytics tools to help us understand website traffic and improve Startup Dose. These providers may set their own cookies or identifiers.

We do not sell your personal information. We may share information only in these situations:

• Service providers: We share data with vendors who help us run the Service (e.g., hosting, analytics, email delivery, database, file storage). They may access data only to perform services for us.
• Legal compliance: If required by law or legal process, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of Startup Dose or others.
• Business transfers: If we're involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that deal.
• With your consent: If you ask us to share information.

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Typical retention periods:

• Newsletter / waitlist info: retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion.
• Startup submissions: retained as long as needed to review, feature, or maintain a record of submissions.
• Analytics data: retained for up to 14/26 months unless we configure a shorter period.

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or limit the use of your personal data.

A. General choices

You can:

• Unsubscribe from emails anytime using the link in our emails.
• Control cookies via browser settings.
• Request access, correction, or deletion by contacting us (see Section 11).

B. EEA/UK (GDPR) rights

If you are in the EEA/UK, you have rights to:

• access, correct, delete, or restrict processing of your data,
• object to processing,
• data portability, and
• withdraw consent at any time.

We process personal data under lawful bases such as consent (newsletter), legitimate interests (site analytics and improvement), and contract performance (processing startup submissions).

C. California (CCPA/CPRA) rights

California residents may have the right to:

• know what personal information we collect, use, and share,
• request deletion,
• correct inaccurate information,
• opt out of "sale" or "sharing" of personal information (we do not sell/share for cross-context behavioral advertising),
• limit use of sensitive personal information (if applicable), and
• not be discriminated against for exercising rights.

We honor opt-out preference signals such as the Global Privacy Control (GPC) where required.

If we ever engage in activities considered a "sale" or "sharing," we will provide a clear "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" link on the Service.

D. Other U.S. state privacy laws

If you live in a state with privacy laws (e.g., Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, and others), you may have similar rights to access, delete, correct, or opt out of certain processing.

If you access Startup Dose outside the United States, your information may be transferred to and processed in the U.S. or other countries where our vendors operate. Where required, we use appropriate safeguards for cross-border transfers.

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures to protect personal information. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Startup Dose is not intended for children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child provided us personal data, contact us and we will delete it.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We'll post the updated version and revise the "Last updated" date. If changes are material, we may provide additional notice.

If you have questions or want to exercise your privacy rights, contact: