Fund.Fwd Privacy Policy

Last updated: October 27, 2024

This Privacy Policy explains how Venture for T.H.E.M. LLC ("Fund.Fwd," "we," "our," or "us") collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards personal information when you use the Fund.Fwd mobile, web, and desktop applications, our website, and any related services (collectively, the "Services"). By accessing or using the Services, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Services.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Account and Profile Information

When you create or update an account we collect information such as your name, email address, password, organization name, founder profile details, demographic information you choose to share, subscription status, and preferences.

1.2 Authentication Data

We integrate with Firebase Authentication to enable sign-in via email/password, Apple, Google, GitHub, and anonymous auth. Auth providers supply basic identity information (for example, display name, email, and provider identifier).

1.3 Funding Submissions and Content

When you submit funding opportunities, contact our team, or fill in in-app forms, we collect the information you provide (including company details, contact information, funding amounts, deadlines, and supporting documents or links). Reviews and feedback submitted through Jotform are processed by Jotform on our behalf.

1.4 Educational and Funding Activity

We log the funding opportunities, educational resources, and content you view, favorite, download, or interact with to personalize recommendations and improve the Services.

1.5 VentureAI Conversations

We store the prompts, questions, responses, and metadata associated with your VentureAI interactions so we can provide context, improve guidance, enforce message limits, and monitor for abuse.

1.6 Payment and Subscription Details

We rely on Apple’s App Store and Google Play billing to process payments. We receive limited information from these stores such as product identifiers, receipt validation results, and subscription status (active, canceled, renewal dates). We do not collect or store full payment card numbers.

1.7 Device and Usage Information

We automatically receive technical data such as device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, IP address, time zone, browser type, app version, crash logs, performance metrics, diagnostics, and cookies or similar technologies to maintain and secure the Services.

1.8 Social Media Content

Our dashboard embeds a social feed via EmbedSocial. When you view embedded widgets, EmbedSocial may collect usage data subject to its own privacy practices.

1.9 Communications

If you contact us via email or forms, we may keep records of your communications. We send transactional and service emails through providers such as SendGrid.

1.10 Other Sources

We may supplement information from publicly available sources, referral partners, or third-party APIs (for example, grant databases) when permitted by law.

2. How We Use Information

2.1 Provide and Maintain the Services

Including account creation, authentication, funding discovery, educational content, VentureAI chat, and processing submissions.

2.2 Personalize the Experience

By tailoring recommendations, surfacing relevant funding opportunities, and remembering your preferences.

2.3 Facilitate Subscriptions and Purchases

We validate receipts, manage entitlements, and deliver premium content.

2.4 Communicate with You

We provide updates about account activity, changes to the Services, security alerts, and support inquiries.

2.5 Operate VentureAI

By supplying prompts and context to our AI models, producing responses, monitoring abuse, and improving quality.

2.6 Analyze, Protect, and Improve

We analyze performance and usage trends, fix bugs, protect against fraud or misuse, and maintain the overall security and integrity of the Services.

2.7 Comply with Legal Obligations

Including enforcing agreements, resolving disputes, and protecting the rights, property, or safety of Fund.Fwd, our users, or others.

3. Legal Bases for Processing (EEA/UK users)

3.1 Legal Bases

We rely on different legal bases depending on the processing: (a) performance of a contract (providing the Services); (b) legitimate interests (analytics, security, product improvement); (c) compliance with legal obligations; and (d) your consent (for example, marketing communications where required).

4. How We Share Information

4.1 Service Providers and Partners

We use trusted vendors to help deliver the Services, including:

Google Firebase (Authentication, Firestore, Cloud Functions, Crashlytics, App Check, Cloud Storage)
Google Cloud Vertex AI / Generative AI (Gemini) for VentureAI responses
Apple App Store and Google Play for in-app purchases and subscription management
SendGrid for transactional email delivery
EmbedSocial to render social media feeds
Jotform to host and manage certain forms
OneSignal or similar providers for push notifications (if enabled)

These providers access information only as necessary to perform services on our behalf and are contractually obligated to protect it.

4.2 Business Transfers

If we explore or complete a corporate transaction, your information may be transferred subject to standard confidentiality safeguards.

4.3 Legal Compliance and Safety

We may disclose information to comply with laws, regulations, legal processes, or government requests; enforce agreements; protect our rights and property; investigate potential violations; or protect the safety of users or the public.

4.4 Aggregated or De-identified Information

We may share aggregated insights that no longer identify you.

5. Cookies and Similar Technologies

5.1 Cookies and SDKs

We and our partners use cookies, SDKs, and similar technologies to remember settings, authenticate sessions, measure usage, and deliver relevant content. You can adjust device or browser settings to limit cookies, but certain features may not function properly.

6. Data Retention

6.1 Retention Periods

We retain personal information for as long as needed to provide the Services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce agreements. Retention periods vary by data type and business needs.

6.2 Deletion and Anonymization

We endeavor to delete or anonymize information when it is no longer required. For example, VentureAI message logs may be stored while your account is active and for a reasonable period afterward to improve the experience and investigate abuse.

7. Data Security

7.1 Safeguards

We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information, including encryption in transit, access controls, monitoring, and secure development practices. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and you use the Services at your own risk.

8. Your Choices and Rights

8.1 Account Controls

You may access, update, or delete certain profile and account information through in-app settings. If you delete your account, we will deactivate it and remove data consistent with our retention policies.

8.2 Communications

You may opt out of non-essential emails by following unsubscribe links or contacting us. Transactional and service communications will still be sent when necessary.

8.3 VentureAI Usage

You may clear chat history or refrain from using AI features. Deleting your account removes associated chat logs subject to retention obligations.

8.4 Device Permissions

Mobile operating systems allow you to manage permissions such as camera, microphone, notifications, and storage access.

9. Region-Specific Rights

9.1 California (CCPA/CPRA)

California residents have rights to know, access, delete, correct, and opt out of certain sharing or selling of personal information. Fund.Fwd does not sell personal information. To exercise rights, email jeff@venture4them.comor kiante@venture4them.com. We will verify and respond consistent with California law.

9.2 European Economic Area and United Kingdom

You may request access, correction, deletion, restriction, portability, or object to processing by contacting us. You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority.

9.3 Other Regions

We will honor rights provided under applicable local laws.

10. Children’s Privacy

10.1 Children’s Information

The Services are not directed to children under 13 (or the equivalent age of digital consent in your jurisdiction), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If we learn that a child has provided personal information, we will delete it. Parents who believe their child has provided information may contact us.

11. International Data Transfers

11.1 Transfers

We operate primarily in the United States and may transfer your information to the U.S. or other countries where we or our service providers maintain facilities. These countries may have data protection laws different from those in your jurisdiction. When transferring personal information, we implement appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses.

12. Third-Party Links and Services

12.1 External Services

The Services may contain links or integrations with third-party websites or services (including embedded social feeds, webinars, or documents). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies.

13. Changes to This Privacy Policy

13.1 Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in technology, law, or our practices. When we make material changes, we will notify you by posting the updated policy in-app, updating the "Last updated" date, and, where required, providing additional notice. Continued use of the Services after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

14. Contact Us

14.1 Contact Information

For questions, concerns, or to exercise privacy rights, contact us at:

Venture for T.H.E.M. LLC (Fund.Fwd)
Email: jeff@venture4them.com
Additional contact: kiante@venture4them.com
Mailing address: Maryland, USA

If you have unresolved privacy or data use concerns that we have not addressed satisfactorily, you may contact your local data protection authority.