This Privacy Policy explains how Pie Growth Holdings Ltd (trading as LaunchLink) ("LaunchLink", "we", "us", "our") collects, uses, stores, and protects your personal data when you use the LaunchLink website and platform at https://www.launchlink.co.uk (the "Platform").

We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal data in a transparent and lawful way in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

1. Who we are

Data Controller:
Pie Growth Holdings Ltd (trading as LaunchLink)
Registered address: 1 Woodhill Cottages, Woodhill Common Road, Danbury, CM3 4AN
Email: hello@launchlink.co.uk

Pie Growth Holdings Ltd is the legal entity responsible for your personal data. LaunchLink is a trading name of Pie Growth Holdings Ltd.

2. What data we collect

We collect the following categories of personal data:

a) Information you provide to us

• Name
• Email address
• Password (stored in encrypted form)
• Professional profile information (for example: skills, experience, availability, rates, biography)
• Company or startup details (if you are registering on behalf of a business)
• Communications you send to us or other users through the Platform

b) Account and usage information

• Login timestamps
• Bookings, requests, and transaction history
• Messages exchanged on the Platform
• User preferences and settings

c) Payment information

• We do not store full card details
• Payments are processed by third-party payment providers (such as Stripe)
• We receive limited payment-related information (for example: payment status, transaction IDs)

d) Technical data

• IP address
• Device type, browser type, and operating system
• Log and diagnostic data

e) Marketing and communications data

• Email preferences
• Records of consent where required

3. How we use your data

We use your personal data to:

• Create and manage user accounts
• Provide access to the Platform and its features
• Facilitate connections and communications between startups and professionals
• Process bookings and payments
• Send transactional communications (such as account confirmations and service messages)
• Improve, maintain, and secure the Platform
• Respond to enquiries and support requests
• Send marketing communications where you have consented
• Comply with legal and regulatory obligations

4. Lawful bases for processing

Under UK GDPR, we rely on the following lawful bases:

• Contract: where processing is necessary to provide the Platform and services you request
• Legitimate interests: to operate, improve, and secure the Platform, provided those interests are not overridden by your rights
• Consent: for marketing communications and certain cookies
• Legal obligation: where we are required to comply with applicable laws

You may withdraw consent at any time where consent is the lawful basis.

5. Marketing communications

We will only send you marketing emails where:

• You have actively opted in; or
• We are otherwise permitted by law

You can opt out at any time by using the unsubscribe link in our emails or by contacting us.

6. Cookies and similar technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to:

• Operate and secure the Platform
• Analyse usage and improve performance

Non-essential cookies will only be used with your consent. You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings and any cookie management tools we provide.

Further details are available in our Cookie Policy.

7. Sharing your data

We may share your personal data with:

• Other users, where necessary to provide the Platform (for example, profile visibility and messaging)
• Service providers who act as data processors on our behalf, including:
  • Hosting and infrastructure providers
  • Payment processors (such as Stripe)
  • Email and communications providers
• Professional advisers (legal, financial, compliance)
• Regulators or authorities where required by law

We do not sell your personal data.

8. International transfers

Some of our service providers may process data outside the UK. Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, such as:

• UK adequacy regulations; or
• Standard contractual clauses or equivalent protections

9. Data retention

We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including:

• While your account remains active
• As required to comply with legal, accounting, or regulatory obligations

You may request deletion of your account at any time (see Section 11).

10. Data security

We take appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data, including:

• Access controls and authentication
• Encryption where appropriate
• Secure infrastructure and monitoring

However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Your data protection rights

Under UK GDPR, you have the right to:

• Access your personal data
• Request correction of inaccurate data
• Request deletion of your data
• Restrict or object to certain processing
• Request data portability
• Withdraw consent where applicable
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)

To exercise your rights, contact us at hello@launchlink.co.uk. We will respond within one month.

12. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, you have the right to complain to the UK regulator:

Information Commissioner's Office (ICO)
Website: https://www.ico.org.uk

We would appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns first.

13. Children's data

The Platform is not intended for children under 18, and we do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

14. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and material changes will be communicated where appropriate.

15. Contact us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we use your data, please contact:

• Email: austin@launchlink.co.uk or peter@launchlink.co.uk
• Pie Growth Holdings Ltd (trading as LaunchLink)