Photo: Palace of Westminster, London by Julian Herzog, CC BY 4.0

Legal

Privacy Policy

We take your privacy seriously. This policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, and your rights as a user of our platform.

1. Introduction

Startup Help Squad is operated by Pay io Services LTD, a company registered in England and Wales under company number 15439659. We are fully committed to protecting your personal data and respecting your privacy rights.

Data controller: the company named above is the data controller for personal data collected through this website. Our ICO registration number will be published here.

If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your data, please get in touch at info@startuphelpsquad.co.uk.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways:

Information you provide directly: This includes your name, email address, phone number, and any business details you submit when creating an account or using our services.

Payment information: We collect payment details required to process your transactions securely.

Automatically collected data: When you use our platform, we may automatically gather your IP address, browser type, device information, operating system, language settings, referring URLs, approximate location, and usage behaviour to help us improve our services.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • Creating and managing your account
  • Verifying your identity and authenticating your access
  • Processing payments and delivering our services
  • Sending administrative updates and service-related notifications
  • Responding to your enquiries and providing customer support
  • Requesting feedback to help us improve the platform
  • Sending marketing communications where you have given consent
  • Protecting the security of our platform and enforcing our policies
  • Meeting our legal obligations and preventing harm

4. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal data. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

  • Where you have given us your explicit consent
  • With trusted third-party service providers who help us operate the platform
  • Where required by law or to comply with a legal obligation
  • To protect the rights, safety, or property of our users or the public
  • In connection with a business transfer, merger, or acquisition

5. Lawful Basis for Each Purpose

Under UK GDPR we must have a lawful basis for each way we use your data:

PurposeLawful basis
Creating and managing your account; delivering our servicesContract
Processing paymentsContract; legal obligation (tax and accounting records)
Verifying your identity and securing the platformLegitimate interests; legal obligation where applicable
Service and administrative messagesContract
Responding to enquiries and supportLegitimate interests
Asking for feedbackLegitimate interests
Marketing emails and the newsletterConsent (you can withdraw at any time)
Optional cookies (analytics)Consent
Meeting legal and regulatory obligationsLegal obligation

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal data only for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes set out in this policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Once your data is no longer needed, we will securely delete or anonymise it.

DataHow long we keep it
Account dataTo be confirmed
Payment and invoice recordsTo be confirmed
Enquiries and support messagesTo be confirmed
Marketing preferencesUntil you unsubscribe, then a suppression record only

7. International Transfers

Some of our service providers may process personal data outside the UK. Where this happens, we make sure an appropriate safeguard is in place, such as UK adequacy regulations or the International Data Transfer Agreement. Details of these transfers will be listed here.

8. Cookies

We use essential cookies and similar browser storage that the site needs to work, for example to remember your cookie choice. These do not need your consent.

Optional cookies, such as analytics, are only used if you choose “Accept optional cookies” in our cookie banner. If you choose “Essential only”, no optional cookies are set.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational security measures to protect your personal data from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or loss. While we take every reasonable precaution, please be aware that no method of transmission over the internet is entirely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you
  • Request corrections to any inaccurate information
  • Request deletion of your personal data
  • Withdraw your consent to marketing at any time
  • Close your account through your account settings

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at info@startuphelpsquad.co.uk.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or applicable law. Any updates will be published on this page. We recommend reviewing this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your data.

12. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests relating to this Privacy Policy, please reach out to us: