Effective Date: July 27, 2026 Last Updated: July 27, 2026
1. Introduction
StarUp Tech Inc. (“StarUp”, “we”, “us”, “our”) operates the StarUp mobile application and related services (the “Platform”). We are committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and applicable provincial privacy laws.
This Privacy Policy explains what personal information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and share it, and your rights. By creating an account or using the Platform, you consent to the practices described here.
2. Who We Are / Accountability
StarUp Tech Inc. Toronto, Ontario, Canada Privacy Contact: Ricardo A. Malabet Viana, Founder Email: privacy@starup-tech.com
We are accountable for the personal information under our control, including information processed by third-party service providers.
3. What Personal Information We Collect
We collect only what is necessary for the Platform’s core functions (AI matching, mentoring, mapping, and ecosystem connections):
Account & Profile Information: Name, email address, phone number, nickname (for Stealth Mode), role (Dreamer, Entrepreneur, Investor, Supplier/Professional or Company/Corporation), venture details (name, industry, stage, funding goal), and any other information you provide during onboarding or profile updates.
Preferred Location: The geographic area you indicate as your desired location for entrepreneurship (Entrepreneurs and Dreamers) or the area in which you prefer to invest or offer services (Investors and Suppliers). This is typically entered as City, Region, Province/State or Country. This is not your personal or residential address. It is used solely to centre your Opportunity Map pin and to deliver relevant matches and recommendations within or around that area.
Psych / Behavioral Survey Responses: Your answers to the 10-question psychological/behavioral profile (risk tolerance, innovation drive, collaboration preference, etc.). These generate vector embeddings for matching.
Usage & Technical Data: Device information, IP address, app usage analytics, interaction with the AI Mentor, map searches, and match activity (collected automatically via Firebase and similar tools).
Device Location Data (optional): Only if you grant permission, the app may use approximate device location to help centre or refine the Opportunity Map view. You can deny this permission and still use the preferred location you entered manually.
Payment Information (future): When Stripe is activated, payment details are handled by Stripe (we do not store full card numbers).
Communications: Messages with the AI Mentor or support.
We do not collect or store your personal residential address.
4. How We Collect Information
Directly from you (forms, surveys, profile).
Automatically (app usage, device data, location when permitted).
From third-party services you connect (if any).
5. Why We Collect & How We Use Your Information (Identifying Purposes)
We use your information only for the purposes identified at collection or that a reasonable person would consider appropriate:
To create and manage your account and profile.
To power the AI 3M Engine: semantic vector matching, psych-profile compatibility, Agentic Mentor guidance, and the live Opportunity Map.
To use your preferred location (City/Region/Province/State/Country) as the centre point for your Opportunity Map pin and surrounding search area, and to deliver geo-relevant matches, opportunities, and recommendations that help users expand beyond their current operating or investment zones.
To provide personalized recommendations, matches, and roadmaps.
To enable Stealth Mode and privacy controls.
To process subscriptions/payments (when activated).
To improve the Platform, prevent fraud, and ensure security.
To comply with legal obligations.
To communicate with you about the service (with option to opt out of non-essential messages).
Psych survey data and preferred location data are used solely for matching, map centring, and geo-relevant recommendations. We do not sell your personal information.
6. Consent
We obtain your meaningful consent before collecting, using, or disclosing personal information. For sensitive data (psych profiles) and for optional device location we require express (opt-in) consent. You can withdraw consent at any time (subject to legal or contractual limits) by contacting us or using in-app controls. Withdrawal may limit Platform functionality.
7. Sharing & Disclosure
We share personal information only as necessary and with appropriate safeguards:
Service Providers:
Firebase / Google Cloud (hosting, authentication, and database)
Google (Gemini) – for readiness scoring, investor scoring, idea validation, and generating matching vectors
Anthropic (Claude) – for the Agentic Mentor / AI Mentor responses
Pinecone – for storing and searching vector embeddings
NewsAPI or GNews – for RAG content
Stripe (when activated) for payments
Analytics tools
These providers are contractually required to protect your data.
Other Users: Only the information you choose to make visible (Stealth Mode controls visibility). Matches see limited profile data.
Legal Requirements: When required by law, court order, or to protect rights/safety.
Business Transfers: In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale (you will be notified).
Data may be processed in the United States (Google, Anthropic, Pinecone). We use contractual clauses and other measures to ensure PIPEDA-equivalent protection.
8. Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary for the purposes above or as required by law. Account data is deleted upon verified account deletion request (or after a reasonable inactivity period). Vector embeddings are anonymized or deleted with the account.
9. Security Safeguards
We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information (encryption in transit/at rest via Firebase, access controls, monitoring). No system is 100% secure; please use a strong password and enable any available security features.
10. Your Rights (Individual Access & Challenging Compliance)
Under PIPEDA you have the right to:
Access the personal information we hold about you.
Request correction of inaccurate information.
Request deletion of your account and associated data.
Withdraw consent.
Challenge our compliance.
Contact the Privacy Contact above. We will respond within the timelines required by law (usually 30 days). You may also complain to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (priv.gc.ca).
11. Children’s Privacy
The Platform is intended for users 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect information from children under 18.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Policy. Material changes will be notified in-app or by email. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance.