PRIVACY POLICY

INDIAN STARTUP FUNDRAISING MEET (ISFM)
Operated and Managed by Aspire Seed Solutions Private Limited
Effective Date: 23 September 2026
Last Updated: 23 September 2026

1. INTRODUCTION AND SCOPE

This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) sets out the manner in which Aspire Seed Solutions Private Limited, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013, having CIN U70200RJ2026PTC115060 and operating the Indian Startup Fundraising Meet under the brand name “ISFM” (“ISFM”, “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”), collects, receives, records, stores, uses, processes, transfers, shares, retains and otherwise handles information, including Personal Data, submitted by or relating to visitors, startup founders, applicants, nominees, investors, mentors, incubators, accelerators, venture capital funds, angel networks, ecosystem partners, jury members, service providers and other persons accessing or interacting with the ISFM website, application forms, digital platforms, communication channels, events, programmes or associated services.

ISFM is a startup evaluation, investor-connect and fundraising facilitation initiative operated and managed by Aspire Seed Solutions Private Limited. The Programme is intended to facilitate the identification, evaluation, screening, profiling, presentation and connection of eligible startups with investors, venture capital firms, angel investors, family offices, incubators, accelerators, mentors, institutional partners and other members of the startup and investment ecosystem.

This Policy shall apply to information collected through the official ISFM website, nomination or registration forms, evaluation forms, email correspondence, WhatsApp communications, telephone communications, online meetings, physical or virtual events, pitch sessions, payment interfaces, investor-connect processes and such other channels as may be operated, authorised or administered by or on behalf of ISFM.

This Policy shall be read together with the Terms and Conditions, Disclaimer, Refund and Cancellation Policy, programme-specific terms, application declarations, consent notices and any other legal terms made available by ISFM from time to time.

2. LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The collection and processing of Personal Data under this Policy shall be undertaken in accordance with applicable laws of India, including, to the extent applicable and as brought into force from time to time, the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, the Digital Personal Data Protection Rules, 2025, the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Information Technology (Reasonable Security Practices and Procedures and Sensitive Personal Data or Information) Rules, 2011, and any amendment, re-enactment, subordinate legislation, direction, notification or regulatory requirement applicable to the processing of such information.

Nothing contained in this Policy shall be construed as representing that any statutory provision which has not yet been brought into force is presently operative. Where any applicable data protection provision becomes effective subsequent to the date of this Policy, this Policy shall be interpreted and administered in a manner consistent with such provision.

3. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this Policy, “Personal Data” shall mean any data about an individual who is identifiable by or in relation to such data, to the extent recognised under applicable law.

“Applicant” shall mean any startup, founder, promoter, entrepreneur, authorised representative or entity submitting an application, nomination, registration, profile or other information to participate in ISFM.

“Programme” shall mean the Indian Startup Fundraising Meet, including its startup nomination, evaluation, screening, selection, investor-connect, fundraising facilitation, pitch, mentoring, incubation-connect and related activities.

“Data Principal”, wherever used, shall have the meaning assigned to such expression under applicable data protection law.

References to a startup or organisation shall include its founders, directors, designated partners, promoters, employees, representatives and other individuals whose information may be submitted in connection with such startup or organisation.

4. INFORMATION COLLECTED BY ISFM

ISFM may collect such information as is reasonably necessary for registration, evaluation, communication, due diligence, investor matching, programme administration, legal compliance and facilitation of the Programme.

Such information may include the name of the founder or authorised representative, designation, mobile number, email address, correspondence details, city, state, professional profile, LinkedIn or other professional social-media profile, photographs, signatures, identification or verification information where legitimately required, and information relating to directors, promoters, co-founders, team members or authorised representatives.

ISFM may further collect information concerning the relevant startup or entity, including its legal name, trade name, date of incorporation, registered office, corporate identification number, LLP identification number, GST registration details, Udyam registration details, DPIIT recognition details, sector, industry, business model, business description, product or service information, stage of development, market information, intellectual property information, traction, customers, revenue, financial information, historical or projected financial performance, capital structure, shareholding information, existing investments, funding history, fundraising requirement, proposed valuation, investment ask, use of funds, pitch deck, business plan, financial projections, certificates, registrations, incorporation records, investor materials and such other documents or information as may be voluntarily submitted or reasonably required for evaluation.

Where payments are made in connection with ISFM, the Company may receive payment-related information such as transaction reference number, payment status, invoice information, billing details, payment amount, date of payment and limited payment metadata. Complete card details, banking credentials or other payment authentication information may be processed directly by the relevant payment gateway, banking institution or payment service provider and need not be stored by ISFM unless specifically required and permitted under applicable law.

ISFM may also automatically receive technical information when a person accesses its website or digital infrastructure, including Internet Protocol address, browser type, device information, operating system, referring URLs, website interaction data, date and time of access, cookies, session identifiers and similar technical information.

Communications exchanged with ISFM, including emails, WhatsApp messages, enquiries, feedback, complaints, call records or call notes, meeting information, application correspondence and support communications, may also be retained to the extent reasonably required for the purposes stated in this Policy.

5. PURPOSE OF COLLECTION AND PROCESSING

Information collected by ISFM may be processed for the purpose of receiving and administering startup nominations or applications; verifying applicant information; determining preliminary eligibility; undertaking screening, assessment and evaluation; obtaining further information or clarification; preparing startup profiles; conducting jury or evaluation processes; communicating decisions relating to progression between different stages of the Programme; arranging meetings, pitch sessions or discussions; facilitating introductions to investors, incubators, accelerators, mentors, venture capital funds, angel networks and ecosystem partners; facilitating fundraising discussions; conducting due diligence support; managing registrations and payments; issuing invoices, acknowledgements or programme communications; preventing fraud or misuse; maintaining records; improving the Programme; complying with legal obligations; responding to lawful requests; resolving disputes; protecting legal rights; and performing such other activities as are reasonably connected with the legitimate operation of ISFM.

Information may also be used for communicating with Applicants regarding application status, documentation requirements, evaluation, interview schedules, pitch sessions, investor interactions, programme updates, events, webinars, opportunities and other matters reasonably connected with their participation in or interaction with ISFM.

Promotional or marketing communications unrelated to an Applicant’s immediate transaction or Programme participation shall be undertaken only in accordance with applicable law and applicable consent requirements. A recipient may request discontinuation of such promotional communications through the communication mechanism made available by ISFM.

6. CONSENT AND AUTHORISATION

Where processing is based upon consent, ISFM shall seek such consent through an appropriate notice, declaration, checkbox, application form, electronic communication or other legally permissible mechanism.

By voluntarily submitting Personal Data to ISFM after being presented with the applicable privacy notice and consent mechanism, the person providing such information authorises ISFM to process such information for the specific purposes disclosed at the time of collection and for purposes reasonably incidental thereto, subject always to applicable law.

An Applicant submitting information concerning another founder, director, employee, shareholder, adviser, representative or other individual represents that the Applicant has the lawful authority, permission or other legally valid basis required to provide such information to ISFM and to permit its processing for the purposes contemplated under the Programme.

Consent shall not be construed as authorising processing for purposes unrelated to those notified to the Data Principal. Where a materially different purpose requires fresh consent under applicable law, ISFM shall seek such consent in the manner prescribed by law.

7. STARTUP EVALUATION AND DISCLOSURE TO INVESTORS AND ECOSYSTEM PARTICIPANTS

The nature and purpose of ISFM necessarily require certain information relating to participating startups to be disclosed to persons involved in evaluation, investment assessment, mentorship, incubation, acceleration or fundraising discussions.

Accordingly, where an Applicant participates in an evaluation, investor-connect or fundraising process, ISFM may disclose relevant portions of the Applicant’s information, pitch deck, business description, founder profile, fundraising requirement, sector, traction, financial information, investment materials and other information submitted for such purpose to authorised jury members, investors, venture capital funds, angel investors, family offices, incubators, accelerators, mentors, advisers, institutional partners or ecosystem participants where such disclosure is reasonably necessary for evaluation, matching, introduction, investment assessment, fundraising discussion or Programme administration.

ISFM shall endeavour to limit such disclosure to information reasonably relevant to the intended interaction. However, an Applicant acknowledges that documents intentionally provided for circulation to investors, including pitch decks, investment teasers, executive summaries or fundraising materials, are intended to be reviewed by potential investment counterparties.

Submission of information to ISFM does not create any obligation upon any investor or other recipient to invest, conduct due diligence, maintain discussions, provide funding or enter into any transaction with the Applicant.

Applicants shall not submit trade secrets, source code, passwords, cryptographic keys or exceptionally confidential information that is not necessary for evaluation unless specifically requested pursuant to an appropriate confidentiality arrangement.

8. THIRD-PARTY SERVICE PROVIDERS AND DATA PROCESSORS

ISFM may engage third-party technology providers, hosting providers, cloud-service providers, customer relationship management platforms, email service providers, communication platforms, analytics providers, form providers, payment gateways, accounting service providers, professional advisers and other service providers for the purpose of operating the Programme and its associated digital infrastructure.

Personal Data may be made available to such service providers only to the extent reasonably necessary for the relevant services and subject to contractual, technical or organisational safeguards considered appropriate by ISFM and required under applicable law.

Where a third-party service is accessed directly by the user, the processing undertaken independently by such third party may additionally be governed by that third party’s own privacy policy and terms.

9. PAYMENT INFORMATION

Payments relating to registration, nomination, evaluation, participation or any other permitted service may be processed through third-party payment gateways or financial institutions.

ISFM shall ordinarily retain only such payment and transactional information as is required for accounting, reconciliation, invoicing, taxation, fraud prevention, dispute handling and statutory record-keeping purposes.

ISFM shall not be responsible for the independent processing practices of a payment gateway, bank or financial intermediary where such entity processes information in its own capacity under applicable law.

10. COOKIES AND WEBSITE TECHNOLOGIES

The ISFM website may use cookies, pixels, session technologies, analytics tools or similar technologies for maintaining website functionality, preserving user preferences, analysing website performance, preventing misuse, measuring traffic and improving the user experience.

Where consent for non-essential cookies is required under applicable law, such cookies shall be deployed in accordance with the consent mechanism provided on the website.

Users may manage cookies through their browser or device settings, although disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of the website.

11. COMMUNICATIONS

Where a person provides a mobile number, email address or other communication details in connection with an application, enquiry or participation in ISFM, the Company may use such details to communicate matters reasonably connected with such application, enquiry, transaction or participation.

Such communications may be transmitted through telephone, email, SMS, WhatsApp or other authorised communication channels.

Consent to receive operational communications necessary for administering an application or Programme participation shall be treated separately from consent to receive unrelated promotional communications wherever such distinction is required under applicable law.

12. CROSS-BORDER PROCESSING

Certain technology, cloud, communication, analytics or infrastructure service providers engaged by ISFM may process or store information on servers located outside India.

Where Personal Data is transferred or made available outside India, ISFM shall undertake such transfer subject to restrictions, conditions and requirements prescribed under applicable Indian law from time to time.

13. DATA RETENTION

ISFM shall retain Personal Data only for so long as is reasonably necessary for the purpose for which such information was collected, for completion of the Programme, maintenance of application and transaction records, facilitation of legitimate follow-up interactions, fulfilment of contractual obligations, establishment or defence of legal claims, compliance with tax, accounting, corporate or regulatory requirements, prevention of fraud or misuse, or such additional period as may be required or permitted under applicable law.

Where information is no longer required for any lawful purpose and no statutory or legitimate basis for continued retention exists, ISFM shall take reasonable steps to erase, anonymise, aggregate or otherwise render such information incapable of identifying the relevant individual, subject to technical feasibility and applicable legal requirements.

Copies maintained in automated backups may continue to exist for a limited period until overwritten in accordance with the Company’s ordinary backup cycle, provided that such copies shall remain subject to applicable safeguards.

14. DATA SECURITY

ISFM shall adopt reasonable technical, organisational, administrative and physical safeguards designed to protect information under its control against unauthorised access, misuse, alteration, disclosure, loss or destruction.

Access to information shall, as reasonably practicable, be restricted to employees, authorised representatives, evaluators, professional advisers, technology providers and other persons having a legitimate need to access such information for the purposes contemplated by this Policy.

Notwithstanding the safeguards implemented by ISFM, no electronic transmission, cloud service, database, website or digital storage mechanism can be represented as being completely immune from security risks. Accordingly, ISFM does not provide an absolute guarantee against every possible cyber incident, unauthorised intrusion or security breach, but shall take such measures as are required under applicable law in the event of a Personal Data breach affecting information under its control.

15. RIGHTS OF DATA PRINCIPALS

To the extent provided under applicable law and from the date on which the relevant statutory provisions are brought into force, a Data Principal may exercise such rights as may be available in relation to access to information concerning the processing of Personal Data, correction, completion or updating of Personal Data, erasure where legally permissible, withdrawal of consent, grievance redressal and nomination of another individual to exercise rights in circumstances recognised by law.

A request relating to Personal Data shall contain sufficient information to enable ISFM to identify the requester and locate the relevant records. ISFM may undertake reasonable identity verification before acting upon a request in order to prevent unauthorised disclosure, alteration or deletion of information.

The exercise of any right shall remain subject to exemptions, retention requirements, contractual rights, legal obligations and other limitations prescribed under applicable law.

16. WITHDRAWAL OF CONSENT

Where Personal Data is processed on the basis of consent, the relevant Data Principal may withdraw such consent through the mechanism notified by ISFM or by contacting ISFM using the details specified in this Policy, subject to applicable law.

Withdrawal of consent shall not affect the lawfulness of processing undertaken prior to such withdrawal.

Where the processing of particular information is necessary for administering an application, conducting an evaluation, processing a transaction, providing an investor-connect service or otherwise performing a requested activity, withdrawal of consent may result in ISFM being unable to continue the relevant application, service or Programme participation.

17. ACCURACY OF INFORMATION

Applicants and other persons providing information to ISFM are responsible for ensuring that the information submitted by them is authentic, complete, accurate and not misleading.

ISFM may request clarification, supporting documents or updated information where reasonably required for evaluation, verification, due diligence or Programme administration.

The submission of false, fabricated, misleading, unauthorised or materially inaccurate information may result in rejection, suspension or termination of participation, without prejudice to any other legal remedy available to ISFM.

18. CHILDREN

The ISFM Programme is principally intended for business founders, entrepreneurs, professionals, investors and authorised representatives who are legally competent to engage with the Programme.

ISFM does not knowingly solicit Personal Data directly from children for the independent purpose of participation in fundraising or investment processes.

Where processing of a child’s Personal Data becomes necessary in any exceptional circumstance, ISFM shall process such information only in accordance with applicable law, including requirements concerning verifiable consent of a parent or lawful guardian where such requirements are applicable and in force.

19. INFORMATION MADE PUBLIC BY AN APPLICANT

Where an Applicant independently publishes information on its website, social-media accounts, press releases, startup directories, pitch events or other public platforms, ISFM may refer to or use such publicly available information for verification, research, profile preparation or Programme-related purposes, subject to applicable law.

Nothing in this clause shall authorise ISFM to treat Personal Data as freely usable merely because such data can technically be accessed online where applicable law imposes restrictions upon such processing.

20. CONFIDENTIALITY AND INVESTMENT MATERIALS

ISFM shall use reasonable efforts to handle non-public Applicant information in accordance with the purpose for which it is submitted. However, participation in an investor-connect or fundraising programme inherently involves disclosure of selected information to third parties considering potential engagement with the Applicant.

Unless a separate written non-disclosure agreement has expressly been executed between the relevant parties, submission of information to ISFM shall not by itself create any fiduciary, professional secrecy or special confidentiality obligation beyond those arising under this Policy, applicable contractual terms and applicable law.

Applicants are advised to exercise appropriate commercial judgment regarding the nature and level of confidential information included in materials intended for investor circulation.

21. THIRD-PARTY LINKS AND EXTERNAL PLATFORMS

The ISFM website, emails, forms or communications may contain links to websites, portals, social-media platforms, payment gateways, calendar systems, meeting platforms or other services operated by third parties.

ISFM does not control the privacy practices of such independent third parties and shall not be responsible for information submitted directly by a user to such third party. Users are advised to review the relevant third-party privacy terms before submitting information to such services.

22. BUSINESS RESTRUCTURING

In the event of a merger, acquisition, restructuring, reorganisation, transfer of business, transfer of undertaking, sale of assets, investment transaction or succession affecting ISFM or Aspire Seed Solutions Private Limited, information maintained in connection with the Programme may form part of the relevant business records and may be transferred to the successor or acquiring entity, subject to applicable law and continued protection consistent with the purposes for which such information was originally collected.

23. DISCLOSURE REQUIRED BY LAW

ISFM may preserve, use or disclose information where reasonably necessary to comply with applicable law, judicial process, court order, governmental direction, regulatory requirement or lawful request of an authorised public authority.

ISFM may additionally process or disclose information where reasonably necessary for prevention, detection, investigation or prosecution of fraud, cyber incidents, unlawful activity, misuse of the Programme or threats to the rights, property or security of ISFM, its users or other persons, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

24. PERSONAL DATA BREACH

Where a Personal Data breach occurs in relation to information under the control of ISFM, the Company shall undertake reasonable measures to contain, investigate and remediate the incident and shall provide notifications to affected Data Principals, regulatory authorities or other persons where and to the extent required by applicable law in force at the relevant time.

25. GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL AND PRIVACY CONTACT

Any person having a question, grievance, correction request, consent-withdrawal request or other concern concerning the processing of Personal Data by ISFM may contact the Company through the following details:

Indian Startup Fundraising Meet (ISFM)
Operated and Managed by
Aspire Seed Solutions Private Limited
CIN: U70200RJ2026PTC115060
Registered/Operating Address: 1st Floor, Pranav Car Decor, Near 9 No. Petrol Pump, Nasirabad Road, Ajmer – 305001, Rajasthan, India
Email: legal@IndianStartupFundraisingMeet.com
Website: www.IndianStartupFundraisingMeet.com

Upon receipt of a grievance or request containing sufficient identifying information, ISFM shall make reasonable efforts to acknowledge, examine and resolve the matter in accordance with applicable law and its internal processes.

Nothing contained herein shall restrict a Data Principal from approaching any competent statutory authority or adjudicatory body where such right is available under applicable law, subject to fulfilment of any grievance-redressal process required by law.

26. NO SALE OF PERSONAL DATA

ISFM does not sell Personal Data as an independent commercial database or data-brokerage product.

This restriction shall not prevent disclosure of Applicant information to investors, incubators, accelerators, jury members, advisers, Programme partners or service providers where such disclosure forms part of the evaluation, investor-connect, fundraising facilitation or Programme administration activities described in this Policy and is undertaken in accordance with applicable law.

27. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

ISFM reserves the right to modify or update this Policy where reasonably necessary to reflect changes in law, technology, business operations, Programme structure, regulatory guidance, processing activities or internal practices.

Where a change materially affects the manner in which Personal Data is processed, ISFM shall provide such notice or seek such additional consent as may be required under applicable law.

The updated version shall become effective from the date specified in the revised Policy and shall be published through the official ISFM website or other appropriate channel.

28. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION

This Policy and all matters relating to the processing of information by ISFM shall be governed by the laws of India.

Subject to any exclusive jurisdiction vested in a statutory authority, tribunal, board or court under applicable law, disputes concerning this Policy shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the competent courts at Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.

29. INTERPRETATION

If any provision of this Policy is determined by a competent authority to be unlawful, invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be construed or limited to the minimum extent necessary to make it lawful and enforceable, and the remaining provisions shall continue to remain in effect.

The headings used in this Policy are inserted solely for convenience and shall not affect the interpretation of its provisions.

In the event of any inconsistency between this Policy and a mandatory provision of applicable law, the applicable statutory provision shall prevail to the extent of such inconsistency.

30. ACCEPTANCE

By accessing the ISFM website or voluntarily submitting an application, nomination, enquiry, registration or other information after being provided with the relevant privacy notice and consent mechanism, the user acknowledges having had the opportunity to read and understand this Privacy Policy.

Where consent is legally required for a particular processing activity, such processing shall be undertaken pursuant to the applicable consent or other lawful basis permitted under law, and mere access to the website shall not by itself be construed as consent for an unrelated processing purpose.