Privacy Policy | AOS — Association of Startups

AOS.VC Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy determines the procedure for processing, storing, and protecting the personal data of users of the AOS.VC website (hereinafter referred to as the "Site", "Platform").

1. General Provisions

1.1.The AOS.VC Platform is an information-analytical and technological platform administered by an initiative group of individuals (hereinafter referred to as the "Administrator").

1.2.This Policy applies to all information that the Administrator may obtain about users while using the Site, including browsing pages, filling out forms, uploading files, and other actions.

1.3.By using the Site, including continuing to use it after reading this Policy, the user confirms that they have read its terms and consent to the processing of their personal data in accordance with it.

1.4.Use of the Site is allowed only to persons who have reached the age of 18. By providing data, the user confirms their legal capacity.

2. Personal Data and Sources of Collection

2.1.Within the framework of using the Site, the following categories of personal data may be processed:

•surname, first name, patronymic (if any);

•email address;

•phone number;

•information about the startup, project, company, role, and experience of the user;

•presentations, pitch decks, files, documents, and other materials uploaded by the user;

•other information provided by the user voluntarily.

2.2.In addition, technical and anonymized data may be processed automatically, including:

•IP address;

•device type, browser, and operating system;

•cookies and similar technologies;

•data on user actions on the Site;

•date, time, and access parameters;

•technical logs and metadata.

2.3.In case of transfer by the user of personal data of third parties (including team members, partners, clients), the user guarantees the presence of all necessary consents and legal grounds for such transfer. The Administrator is not responsible for the legality of the provision of third-party personal data by the user.

3. Purposes and Methods of Personal Data Processing

3.1.Personal data is processed for the following purposes:

•review and analysis of startup applications;

•ensuring communication between startups, investors, experts, and partners;

•transfer of information to potential investors, experts, and partners of the Platform;

•analytics, development, and improvement of Platform functionality;

•sending informational and service messages related to AOS.VC activities;

•ensuring the security and correct operation of the Site;

•compliance with the requirements of the legislation of applicable jurisdictions.

3.2.Processing of personal data may be carried out both using automation tools and without their use, including the use of automated, analytical, and algorithmic instruments (including systems for preliminary analysis and classification of applications).

4. Legal Grounds and User Consent

4.1.The basis for processing personal data is the voluntary consent of the user, expressed in one or more of the following ways:

•by checking the corresponding box (checkbox) on the Site;

•by sending personal data through Site forms;

•by continuing to use the Site after reading this Policy.

4.2.Processing of personal data is carried out in accordance with applicable data protection laws and generally accepted international data protection principles.

5. Actions with Personal Data and Storage

5.1.The Administrator has the right to perform the following actions (operations) with personal data:

•collection, recording, systematization, accumulation;

•storage, clarification (update, change);

•use, transfer (provision, access);

•anonymization, blocking;

•deletion and destruction.

5.2.Personal data is stored in secure digital systems using reasonable organizational and technical security measures.

5.3.For processing and storing personal data, the Administrator has the right to use third-party software, cloud, and analytical services (CRM, hosting, cloud storage, and other SaaS solutions), provided that reasonable data protection measures are taken.

5.4.After achieving the processing goals, personal data may be deleted or archived in accordance with the Administrator's internal procedures and legal requirements.

6. Data Transfer and Cross-Border Processing

6.1.The User agrees that their personal data may be transferred to third parties, including but not limited to:

•potential investors;

•startups and their representatives;

•experts, mentors, consultants;

•Platform partners;

•technical contractors and service providers.

6.2.Transfer of personal data is carried out solely for the purposes specified in this Policy.

6.3.The User consents to the cross-border transfer of personal data, including transfer to countries where servers, partners, investors, or technical services may be located.

6.4.The User is notified that the level of personal data protection in certain foreign jurisdictions may differ from the level of protection established by the legislation of their country of residence.

7. User Rights and Withdrawal of Consent

7.1.The User has the right to:

•request information about the processing of their personal data;

•demand clarification, blocking, or deletion of data;

•withdraw consent to the processing of personal data.

7.2.Withdrawal of consent is carried out by sending a corresponding request via the contact details indicated on the Site or via the feedback form. Processing of such requests may take up to 30 calendar days.

8. Limitation of Liability

8.1.The Administrator is not responsible for:

•provision by the user of unreliable, incomplete, or illegally obtained data;

•actions of third parties to whom personal data was transferred with the user's consent;

•unauthorized access to personal data occurring due to the actions of third parties, provided that the Administrator has taken reasonable protection measures.

9. Change of Operator Status and Policy

9.1.In case of a change in the organizational structure of the Platform, creation of a legal entity, or transfer of administration functions to another operator, personal data may be transferred to the new operator while maintaining the purposes and principles of processing established by this Policy.

9.2.The Administrator has the right to change this Policy at any time. The current version is always available on the Site.

9.3.Continued use of the Site after changes are made means the user's consent to the updated version of the Policy.

10. Final Provisions

10.1.This Policy is valid indefinitely until replaced by a new version.

10.2.In case of discrepancies between versions of this Policy in different languages, the version posted on the AOS.VC website in Russian shall prevail (or the English version if explicitly stated, but adhering to the Russian source text implies Russian prevalence usually).