Privacy Policy

This policy explains how Founders & Coffee(“we”, the data controller) collects and uses your personal data when you apply to or participate in our cofounder-matching community. We follow the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Who we are

Founders & Coffee, Barcelona. Contact: hola@foundersandcoffee.com. You can lodge a complaint with the Spanish supervisory authority, the AEPD (aepd.es).

What we collect

• Identity & contact: name, email, LinkedIn, city.
• Founder profile: your strengths, what you’re looking for, commitment, idea status, background, and motivation — the information you provide in the application.
• Participation data: event attendance and community activity, where relevant.

We practice data minimization — we only ask for what we need to match you well.

Why we use it, and our lawful basis

• To run the community and matching service — lawful basis: legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f)). You can object at any time.
• To introduce you to a potential cofounder — we share your profile and contact details with another member only with your explicit consent at the point of a match. You can withdraw consent at any time.
• To send you essential updates (your application, events you opted into) — legitimate interest / consent.

How we match you

We use Vercel BotID (invisible bot detection) on the application form to block automated spam. It does not track you across sites.

Matching is based on the profile you submit. With your consent (the checkbox on the application), we share your profile — name, what you bring, and your LinkedIn — only with the specific person you’re matched with, so you can connect. We never publish your profile or sell your data.

If you ask us to delete your application, your matches are removed too.

Who sees your data

Other members see your profile only after you consent to a specific introduction. We use service providers (e.g. database and email hosting) as processors; we keep data in the EU/EEA where possible, and only use providers with appropriate safeguards otherwise.

How long we keep it

We keep your data for as long as you’re an active member or applicant, and remove inactive profiles periodically. You can ask us to delete it sooner.

Your rights

• Access a copy of your data.
• Correct or update it.
• Delete it (“right to be forgotten”).
• Object to or restrict processing.
• Withdraw consent at any time.
• Data portability.

To exercise any right, email hola@foundersandcoffee.com. We respond within one month.

Security

We encrypt data in transit and at rest and limit access to what’s necessary to operate Founders & Coffee.