Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

NepalStartups ("NepalStartups", "we", "us", or "our") operates the NepalStartups website and related services (the "Service"). We are the data controller for the personal information described in this policy. You can reach us at [email protected].

2. Information we collect

2.1 Information you give us

• Account data : name, email address, password (stored only as a one-way hash), and optional profile details such as bio, website, and avatar.
• Startup submissions : company name, tagline, description, sector, stage, location, founders, team size, funding, tags, features, contact details, social links, and any images you upload.
• Communications : messages you send us, including ownership-claim requests and support emails.

2.2 Information collected automatically

• Usage data : pages viewed, features used, referring URL, browser type, device type, and approximate location derived from your IP address.
• Interaction data : votes, comments, replies, and favourites you create.
• Log data : IP address, request timestamps, and error reports, retained for security and debugging.

2.3 Information from third parties

If you sign in with a third-party account provider, we receive your name, email address, and profile picture from that provider. We do not receive your password from them.

3. How we use your information

• To create and maintain your account and authenticate you.
• To operate, moderate, and display the startup directory.
• To send transactional emails such as verification, password reset, ownership-claim approval, and newsletter confirmation.
• To send the newsletter if you opt in.
• To prevent abuse, enforce our terms, and protect the Service.
• To understand usage and improve the Service.
• To comply with legal obligations.

We do not sell your personal information.

4. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you signed in, remember preferences, protect against abuse, and measure usage. See our Cookie Policy for details, including how to control cookies.

5. Sharing of information

We share information only in the following cases:

• Public content : startup profiles, comments, and votes are public by design. Do not include information you want to keep private in a public profile.
• Service providers : we use a small number of trusted providers to host the Service, store data, send email, store files, and measure usage. They process data on our instructions and are bound by confidentiality and data-protection obligations.
• Legal requirements : when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of NepalStartups, our users, or others.
• Business transfers : if NepalStartups is acquired or merged, your information may transfer to the new owner, who will be bound by this policy.

6. Data retention

We keep your account and content for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service. If you delete your account, we remove or anonymize your personal data, except where we must retain it for legal, security, or fraud-prevention reasons. Aggregated, non-identifying statistics may be retained indefinitely.

7. Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to access, correct, delete, or export your personal data, and to object to or restrict certain processing. You may also withdraw consent where processing is based on consent. To exercise these rights, contact us at [email protected]. We will respond within a reasonable time and may need to verify your identity first.

8. Security

We use industry-standard measures to protect your information, including encrypted connections, hashed passwords, access controls, and regular review of our practices. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

9. International transfers

The Service may be hosted and processed in countries other than your own. Where required, we take appropriate safeguards to protect your information during such transfers.

10. Children

The Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us information, contact us and we will delete it.

11. Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will post the new version here with an updated date and, for material changes, notify you by email or through the Service.

12. Contact

Questions about this policy? Email [email protected].