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Privacy Policy

Last Updated: September 8, 2025

 

Introduction

 

Thank you for visiting our website.

 

This Privacy Policy explains how Foundersmax (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, stores, shares, and protects information about individuals (“you”) who interact with our websites, digital platforms, programs, events, or other services that reference this Policy (collectively, the “Services”). This Policy applies not only to online interactions but also to offline engagements such as in-person meetings, diligence processes, recruiting, and investor relations.

We recognize that the information we handle is not just data but also a reflection of personal and professional identities. Safeguarding this information is central to building trust with founders, investors, employees, and the broader community. We therefore commit to managing personal data responsibly, transparently, and in compliance with applicable laws, including the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018, the California Consumer Privacy Rights Act (CCPA/CPRA), and other international and U.S. state data protection frameworks.

By using our Services, you confirm that you have read and understood this Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of our Services.

 

Information We Collect

We collect a wide range of information depending on your relationship with us, whether as a founder pitching a venture, an applicant seeking a role, an investor, a portfolio company team member, or a visitor to our Services.

Information you provide directly includes personal identifiers such as name, email, telephone, job title, company, and professional profile links. If you apply to join our team or participate in programs, we may collect CVs, cover letters, career histories, compensation expectations, and supporting materials. If you submit a pitch or participate in diligence, we may process pitch decks, ownership structures, biographies, references, and related business documentation. Event registrations may involve RSVPs, dietary restrictions, interests, or photographs taken at the event. When you communicate with us, we retain correspondence, feedback, and survey responses to ensure we understand and can respond appropriately.

Information collected automatically through your interaction with the Services includes device and browser details, IP addresses, geolocation approximations derived from IP, time and date of access, pages viewed, session duration, and clickstream activity. We also collect technical logs and error reports to ensure security and service continuity. Cookies and similar technologies, described later in this Policy, help us remember your preferences, improve user experience, and measure performance.

Information obtained from third parties may come from service providers (such as analytics, recruitment platforms, or customer relationship management tools), publicly available sources (such as LinkedIn or company websites), and other partners or portfolio companies that introduce you to us or provide context during diligence. We combine such information with the data you provide to create a more complete understanding relevant to our engagement with you.

 

How We Use Information


We use personal data in a purposeful and proportionate manner to advance our legitimate business objectives, fulfill contractual obligations, and comply with legal requirements. We process data for the following reasons:

  1. To operate and secure the Services. This includes enabling functionality, troubleshooting errors, ensuring uptime, detecting fraud or malicious activity, and protecting network and information security. Without this processing, our Services would not function safely or reliably.
  2. To respond to inquiries and provide support. When you contact us, we use your information to communicate, resolve issues, and follow up on requests. We may also maintain records of these interactions to improve service quality and accountability.
  3. To evaluate ventures, founders, and partnerships. As part of our investment and incubation activities, we conduct diligence on submitted ventures, founders, and advisors. This requires us to process information provided in pitch decks, ownership summaries, references, and background checks where permitted.
  4. To manage recruiting and talent engagement. When individuals apply for positions or advisory roles, we use personal data to assess qualifications, coordinate interviews, manage offers, and comply with employment laws. We may also retain applicant data for future opportunities, unless otherwise prohibited.
  5. To conduct marketing and community engagement. We may use your information to send newsletters, updates, event invitations, and thought leadership content. We track engagement metrics to refine our communications. Marketing is carried out with consent where required and can be opted out of at any time.
  6. To improve our Services. We analyze usage data, feedback, and aggregated behavior patterns to identify what is working, what needs improvement, and how to develop new features or initiatives.
  7. To comply with legal and regulatory requirements. This includes recordkeeping, responding to lawful requests from authorities, conducting sanctions screenings, and fulfilling investor due diligence requirements.
  8. To protect rights and interests. We may process data to enforce contracts, defend against claims, prevent misuse of our Services, and protect the safety of individuals.

We process information only where we have a valid legal basis, such as legitimate interests, contractual necessity, consent, or legal obligations.



How We Share Information


We do not sell personal data in exchange for money. However, we share personal data in limited circumstances to fulfill our mission and obligations:

  • With service providers and vendors that perform services on our behalf, such as hosting, analytics, communications, recruiting platforms, security providers, and IT support. These providers are bound by contracts to handle data only according to our instructions and to maintain appropriate safeguards.
  • With professional advisors such as attorneys, accountants, auditors, and insurers, when necessary for legal, financial, or compliance purposes.
  • In connection with business transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, financings, or reorganizations, where information may be transferred under confidentiality safeguards.
  • To comply with legal obligations or lawful processes, or when disclosure is necessary to protect rights, safety, or property, or to investigate potential violations of law.
  • With your consent or direction, for example when facilitating introductions within our network or publishing testimonials.

We may share aggregated or de-identified data that no longer identifies you, for research, analysis, or other legitimate purposes.

 

International Transfers


Because we work with global teams, partners, and service providers, personal data may be transferred to jurisdictions outside your place of residence, including to the United States. These countries may not have the same data protection standards as your home country. To safeguard these transfers, we use legal mechanisms such as adequacy decisions, Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission (with UK addendum where required), and Binding Corporate Rules adopted by certain vendors. Where vendors participate in the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework or its UK/Swiss extensions, we may rely on such certifications.

 

Data Security


We implement technical, administrative, and organizational measures designed to protect personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These include encryption of data in transit, access controls, monitoring systems, vendor risk assessments, and employee confidentiality commitments. While no system can guarantee absolute security, we continually review and strengthen our safeguards. If a data breach occurs that affects your personal information, we will notify you and relevant authorities as required by law.

 

Retention of Data


We retain personal data only as long as necessary for the purposes described in this Policy, or as required by applicable laws, contracts, or legitimate business needs. For example, investor records may be retained for regulatory compliance for several years, while marketing data may be retained until you opt out plus a limited period thereafter to maintain suppression lists. Recruiting data may be kept for a period to consider you for future opportunities unless you request deletion. Once data is no longer needed, we securely delete, anonymize, or archive it.



Your Rights


Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have certain rights regarding your personal data. These may include:

  • The right to access the information we hold about you and obtain a copy.
  • The right to request corrections of inaccurate or incomplete data.
  • The right to request deletion of personal data, subject to legal and contractual exceptions.
  • The right to restrict or object to certain types of processing, particularly where based on legitimate interests.
  • The right to data portability for information you have provided to us.
  • The right to withdraw consent for processing based on consent, without affecting prior lawful processing.
  • The right to opt out of targeted advertising or “sale”/“sharing” of personal data under applicable state laws.

If you wish to exercise your rights, you may contact us at [email protected]. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling your request. In some jurisdictions, you may also appoint an authorized agent to make a request on your behalf. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your rights.

European and UK residents also have the right to lodge a complaint with their local data protection authority, though we encourage contacting us first so we can attempt to resolve concerns directly.




Children’s Privacy


Our Services are intended for adult professionals. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under the age of 16 (or such age as defined by local law). If we discover that a child has provided personal data, we will delete it promptly. Parents or guardians who believe their child has submitted data should contact us immediately.



Marketing Communications


If you provide your contact details, we may use them to send newsletters, invitations, or updates. You can opt out of these communications at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the email or emailing [email protected]. Even if you opt out of marketing, we may still send transactional communications such as confirmations, updates on services you requested, or notices required by law.



Cookies and Similar Technologies


We use cookies and similar technologies to operate our Services, analyze usage, improve functionality, remember your preferences, and deliver limited marketing in compliance with applicable laws. Some cookies are strictly necessary for security and core features, while others (analytics, functional, or advertising cookies) are optional. On your first visit, we present a cookie consent banner allowing you to accept, reject, or customize your preferences. You may also change your choices at any time through the cookie settings on our site or by adjusting your browser preferences. Blocking cookies may reduce the functionality of the Services. Where legally required, we honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals as an opt-out of sale/sharing for advertising purposes.

Examples of cookies we may use include those from Cloudflare for traffic security, Google Analytics for usage metrics, Intercom for customer support, Hotjar for user behavior analytics, and Meta or LinkedIn pixels for limited audience measurement. These cookies vary in duration from a single session to up to two years, depending on the provider.



Changes to This Policy


We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or services. When we make significant changes, we will post an updated version with a new “Last Updated” date at the top and, where required, provide additional notice (such as by email or website banners). We encourage you to review this Policy periodically to stay informed about how we handle your information.



Contact Us


If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us at:

Email: [email protected]
We take privacy seriously and will respond to your inquiry promptly and transparently.