privacy policy

Introduction

Privacy Policy
Rare Founders Limited

Last updated: 23 Mar 2026.

Introduction

Rare Founders Limited (“Rare Founders”, “we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and share personal data when you use our website, attend our events, or use our mobile applications and networking products (including SoPhy).

We process personal data lawfully, fairly and transparently in accordance with UK GDPR and other applicable data protection laws.

Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

Identity and professional data
Name, email address, job title, company information, sector, social media links, fundraising status, investment focus and other profile details you choose to provide.

Networking and relationship data
When using our mobile applications or networking tools, we may collect data related to your professional relationships, including:

  • connections you establish with other users

  • private notes, reminders and follow-up tasks you create

  • event attendance and check-in records

  • interaction signals within the platform

  • networking analytics such as influence indicators, trust signals or relationship strength estimates

This data is used to help users manage professional relationships and improve networking outcomes.

Location and proximity data
During event networking features, we may process temporary location or proximity signals (for example QR check-in confirmation or Bluetooth-based interaction detection) to verify attendance and enable visibility of other attendees for a limited period.
We do not provide real-time location tracking of users.

Device and usage data
Information about device type, operating system, app usage, IP address and performance diagnostics.

Marketing and communication data
Preferences relating to newsletters, event updates, partner communications and product announcements.

How We Use Personal Data

We use personal data to:

  • provide access to networking features, events and digital products

  • enable relationship management tools and networking analytics

  • allow users to discover and connect with relevant professionals

  • improve product functionality, performance and user experience

  • send service communications and event information

  • send marketing communications where consent is provided

  • generate aggregated or anonymised insights to improve our services

  • comply with legal and regulatory obligations

We may use automated processing or profiling techniques to generate networking insights. These insights are intended to support professional relationship building and do not produce legal or similarly significant automated decisions.

Profile Visibility and Contact Sharing

User profiles are visible only to authenticated users of our services.
During event networking features, attendees who complete venue check-in may be able to view other verified attendees for a limited period (typically up to 24 hours).

Contact details are shared only after a mutual connection is accepted by both users.
Users may remove connections and control which contact details remain visible.

Data Sharing

We may share personal data with:

  • Networking participants
    Where users choose to connect or share profile information.

  • Event organisers
    We may share aggregated or anonymised attendee analytics to help organisers understand engagement trends.
    Identifiable personal data is not shared without user consent.

  • Sponsors and partners
    Only where explicit consent is provided.

  • Service providers
    Including cloud hosting providers, analytics providers, communication tools, AI processing providers, event technology partners and security providers. These parties act as data processors under our instructions.

  • Legal authorities
    Where required by law or to protect our rights.

We do not sell personal data.

International Transfers

Some service providers may operate outside the UK or European Economic Area. Where this occurs, we use appropriate safeguards such as standard contractual clauses.

Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary to provide our services, meet legal obligations and support legitimate business interests.

Networking data and analytics may be retained while your account remains active.
When you delete your account, identifiable data will be deleted or anonymised within a reasonable timeframe unless retention is required by law.

Aggregated or anonymised data may be retained for research and product improvement.

Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • access your personal data

  • correct inaccurate data

  • request deletion of your account and associated data

  • restrict or object to certain processing

  • withdraw consent at any time

  • request data portability

Users may request deletion via in-app settings (where available) or by contacting us.

Children

Our services are not intended for individuals under the age of 16. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.

Security

We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect personal data from unauthorised access, loss or misuse.

Data Breach Notification

If a personal data breach occurs that is likely to affect your rights or freedoms, we will notify relevant authorities and affected users as required by law.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be available on our website and within our applications.

Contact

Rare Founders Limited
85 Great Portland Street, London, England, W1W 7LT

Privacy enquiries: privacy@rarefounders.com