Privacy Statement

Starthubs is a trade name of Incredible Crowds B.V. and facilitates Challenges and innovation platforms. When Starthubs is mentioned in the statements below, this refers to Incredible Crowds B.V. When only the public website of Starthubs is meant, this will be explicitly named with the addition of the domain name: www.starthubs.co. In addition, we use the term Visitor, for a person who visits one of our online platforms. A Participant is someone who participates in a Challenge by creating a Starthubs Account and making a Submission via one of our platforms. These and other terms in this privacy statement that start with a capital letter also refer to the terms with the same name in our Terms of Use.

The following statements about privacy apply to the data collected through the following channels:

  • the public website of Starthubs with the domain: www.starthubs.co
  • the public websites of Starthubs' Clients who use Starthubs' software. Recognizable by the 'Powered by Starthubs' mention in the header and footer and the fact that logging in is done via https://accounts.starthubs.co.
  • the secure Account environment https://accounts.starthubs.co/ (and the creation and login process of a Starthubs Account.
  • the secure platform environment https://platform.starthubs.co/ (and the creation and login process of a Starthubs Account.
  • digital communication traffic from the business email addresses ending in starthubs.co (vn: firstname.lastname@starthubs.co)


1. GENERAL COLLECTION OF ANONYMOUS DATA AND PERSONAL DATA

Starthubs is an innovative company that understands that data security and protection of your personal data are very important. When you visit one of the above websites/platforms of Starthubs, your general Visitor data is stored anonymously. The platforms of Starthubs use a reliable SSL Certificate to ensure that this data does not fall into the wrong hands. The general Visitor data that is stored includes the IP address of your computer, the time of retrieval and additional data that your browser sends. To store this and other (anonymous) data and process preferences, we use first-party and third-party cookies, our own software and third-party software. We can combine this general Visitor data with other (with permission) collected personal data, to make your experience on our platforms as pleasant, user-friendly and relevant as possible. Personal data is treated and secured with the utmost care in accordance with applicable law. By 'personal data' in this privacy statement we mean: all information about an identified or identifiable natural person.

2. FIRST-PARTY AND THIRD-PARTY COOKIES ON OUR PLATFORMS

A cookie is a small piece of data that is stored in the browser by a web server. The user information stored in cookies enables the interaction between the website and the browser to be mapped. This can include establishing authentication, recording click behavior and analyzing navigation on Starthubs' platforms. We distinguish the following types of cookies:

  • Functional cookies: to remember preferences such as language, design and settings in tools.
  • Anonymous analytics cookies: to collect statistical data about the use of our platforms. For example, we analyze which pages (technically and content-wise) perform well or less well and how we can optimize the structure, content and user experience. We use software from Google Inc. to perform the analyses, including Google Tag Manager, Google Analytics, Google Ads and Google Search Console. As of July 1, 2023, we use Google Analytics 4 (GA4). The mentioned software is not used on all platform pages that start with url: platform.starthubs.co.
  • Marketing cookies: to get information about the navigation and click behavior of users on our platforms (first-party cookies). This information is possibly supplemented with information from third-party tools, including navigation and click behavior in forms, newsletters, on social media sites and advertisements. The third-party tools we use for internal business processes and marketing purposes are: LinkedIn, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), X (Twitter), Youtube, Mailchimp/Mandrill, Hubspot, Brevo (Sendinblue), Hotjar, Typeform, Pipedrive, Slack, Google Analytics, Google Search Console, Google Ads and Looker Studio. These tools are managed with a secure Starthubs Account. For the exchange with these tools, we work in some cases with Google Tag Manager and third-party cookies including those from: LinkedIn, Meta (Facebook and Instagram), X (Twitter), Mailchimp/Mandrill, Hotjar, Google Analytics and Google Ads. As of July 1, 2023, we use Google Analytics 4 (GA4). The mentioned software is not used on all platform pages that start with url: platform.starthubs.co. With the insights from the above tools and data, we aim to offer users the most relevant content at the right time for the best service.

Starthubs has no influence on how the above third parties process the data via the third-party cookies. Always read the privacy statements of these parties carefully. It is possible for users not to accept, disable or erase cookies retroactively at the browser or website level. This option is usually found in the settings or preferences menu of the browser.

3. PERSONAL DATA THAT IS PROCESSED

In addition to the anonymous data via cookies, Starthubs also collects personal data, provided to us via active consent, opt-in or contact on own initiative. This includes: subscribing to a newsletter, following a Challenge, creating an Account, sending business email or telephone or verbal consultation. Starthubs processes your personal data in order to be able to reach you with the information for which you have made a subscription/opt-in/request and in addition, Starthubs can use the data to reach you with information about (new) Challenges and (changes in) our services. Personal data is processed in accordance with the law and in a proper and careful manner. In this context, Starthubs can process: your first and last name, address details, telephone number, email address, IP address and possibly additional data such as your company name, company description, description of your question, job profile and areas of interest regarding challenges. To offer you the most relevant service (business opportunities and Challenges) at the right time, we also process personal data to compile marketing target groups with preferences. These are uploaded into advertising systems of LinkedIn, Meta and Google Ads.

4. PERSONAL DATA PROCESSED THROUGH A STARTHUBS ACCOUNT

A Starthubs Account must be created when a person:

  1. wants to ask online questions about a Challenge via the Q&A module
  2. is invited to judge or manage a Challenge
  3. is invited to manage a platform
  4. wants to participate in a Challenge by making a Submission

In the first three cases, we only store your email address, first name and last name as personal data.

In the fourth case, when a person makes a Submission, this person is designated as a Participant. From Participants we store at least the following data: title, description and documentation/media of the Submission - company name, description, website, logo, year of establishment, number of employees and address of the company - first name, last name, email address, telephone number and function of the Participant.

Optionally we store additional information, provided the Participant fills it in, this includes: the sector in which the company is active, maturity/growth phase of the (starting) company, preferences for matchmaking with corporates and investors. Starthubs can use the data to communicate with the Participant about (new) Challenges and to send information about the services and methods of Starthubs. Personal data is processed in accordance with the law and in a proper and careful manner.

5. HOW LONG STARTHUBS KEEPS YOUR DATA

Starthubs does not keep your personal data longer than necessary to achieve the goals for which your data is collected. Generally, retention periods of between 1 and 10 years are used. Your data is generally kept longer if you show activity around our services. For example, if you are a returning Visitor to our platforms, or if you contact us again (as a user or Participant).

6. WHERE YOUR DATA IS STORED

Starthubs takes appropriate measures to secure your (personal) data against loss or against any form of unlawful processing. This data is stored encrypted in a local secure database on our servers in the Netherlands. In addition to this data, anonymous data that you as a website Visitor may leave behind (for example your IP address via cookies) is stored in Google Analytics. Google Inc. stores this data on their servers in the United States. Read Google's privacy policy for more information. For other data storage by third parties (mentioned in paragraph 2 and 7) you can read the privacy statements of the relevant parties.

7. DATA PROVISION TO CHALLENGE CLIENTS

The service of Starthubs revolves around facilitating Challenges and realizing a match between a problem/Challenge owner (Clients) and a solver (Participant). To successfully realize this service, specifically selected individuals, linked to the commissioning organization, have access (via our secure software) to the data that a Participant provides when sending a Submission. This is necessary in order to be able to assess the Submissions and make matches. The Participant gives consent for this by accepting the Challenge conditions, at the moment a Submission is made. The individuals with access within the commissioning organization can only view the data that belongs to their own Challenge (or platform). They can communicate with Participants via email within our software and they can export the data belonging to submissions and include it in their own administration. The agreement with our Clients states that they may only use this data (also after exporting) for ''Challenge and collaboration purposes'' (for example to explore a project, assignment, subsidy or investment, provided it is related to the Challenge theme.) If the Client does not comply with this agreement, Starthubs is not liable. Starthubs will not sell or otherwise provide the personal data to parties who want to use it for activities that can be seen as ''spam''.

8. DATA PROVISION TO THIRD PARTIES

Starthubs never makes data of Participants and documentation around their Submission public or accessible to third parties, unless there is the above-mentioned assessment process by Clients (paragraph 7). There is also an exception when a legal obligation must be met. However, we do store and process personal data and company data in third-party tools to offer you the most relevant service (business opportunities and Challenges) at the right time. Think of maintaining a customer database, for this we use Pipedrive and Hubspot. To compile relevant marketing target groups with preferences, we upload data into advertising systems of LinkedIn, Meta and Google Ads. For compiling email lists and segments, for newsletters and transactional emails, we use Brevo (Sendinblue) and Mailchimp/Mandrill. In addition, data from Visitors and Participants is occasionally processed in internal business company and communication processes. For this we use Microsoft Office (Outlook), Google Drive, Typeform, and Slack.

9. PRIVACY STATEMENTS OF THIRD PARTIES

It may happen that as a Visitor or Participant you use a service or an offer from a Client, partner or advertiser of Starthubs. In that case, the privacy rules of the relevant party apply. Starthubs has no control over services and/or websites of third parties to which links are provided. In such situations, a different privacy statement may apply. This privacy statement of Starthubs only applies to (personal) data obtained through the platforms of Starthubs. Starthubs accepts no responsibility or liability for (the operation and/or content of) services and/or websites of third parties

10. HOW YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER DATA 

Starthubs respects the privacy of Visitors and Participants and recognizes the need for good control over personal and company data that are known via Starthubs. Therefore, individuals with a Starthubs Account can change and/or delete their data and set notifications themselves. The uploaded documentation (a Submission) can only be adjusted upon special request. Also, the entire Account can be deleted. All this can be done by logging in via the login link, which is present on every platform of Starthubs, or via https://accounts.starthubs.co/. If you want to know which data Starthubs stores about you or if you want to change data that you cannot change via your Account, you can contact us at info@starthubs.co.

11. NOTIFICATIONS YOU CAN RECEIVE

As a Visitor or Participant, you can sign up for notifications from Starthubs and/or Clients. After you have agreed via a registration form or ''opt-in'' (checkbox), you can expect one or more parts of the notifications listed below. You can always unsubscribe via an unsubscribe link in the relevant communication tool (usually email) or via the Starthubs Account, where all notifications linked to an Account can be managed.

  • Provision of login codes and receipt confirmations of submissions
  • Newsletters about upcoming and ongoing Challenges
  • Challenge alerts about challenges that match your checked preferences
  • Updates about a specific Challenge where you are a Follower or Participant (for example, reminders for an upcoming deadline or updates about selected or winners of a Challenge.)
  • Personal messages or occasional updates around Challenges (where you are a Follower or Participant). These can also be sent by Clients (for example, in case of significant changes in the Challenge process, updates around the content of a Challenge or a Q&A session or invitations for a final event). You are not obliged to respond to the invitations.

Of course, Starthubs will not bother subscribers, Followers and Participants with spam. Starthubs is not responsible when this notification does not arrive (properly) and/or ends up in an 'unwanted folder'. 

12. USE OF IMAGES AND VISUAL MATERIAL ON OUR WEBSITE

On our website, we aim to offer realistic and appealing content to Visitors. For this purpose, we use royalty-free image material from, among others, Pexels, iStock, ShutterStock and Adobe Stock, where possible with mention of the creator. This material can also be provided by our Clients who have given permission for its use. In addition, we also publish copyrighted image material, including photos and videos, made by Starthubs or Clients, for example, material that is shot during events. We always try to obtain permission in advance, reasonably, from the persons who are part of image material that is (prominently) present as content on our website or in other (online) communication expressions. If the respective persons do not want this content to be used for marketing purposes, they can object by emailing info@starthubs.co.

13. CHANGES IN THIS PRIVACY STATEMENT

Starthubs reserves the right to amend this privacy statement without further notice.

14. CONTACT OUR DATA PROTECTION OFFICER

Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask.

Incredible Crowds B.V.
info@starthubs.co 030-2270982
Europalaan 100, building ./ (Dotslash Utrecht)
3526KS Utrecht, The Netherlands