Privacy Policy

1. Data Controller

R2GConnect is a service of:

Research2Guidance GmbH
Torstraße 218
10115 Berlin
Germany

Email: hello@research2guidance.com

2. What information we collect

Depending on how you use R2GConnect, we may collect the following categories of information.

Account information

• Name
• Email address
• Password (encrypted)
• Job title
• Company name
• Country
• Contact details

Profile information

Information you choose to add to your profile, including, for example:

• company information
• solution descriptions
• products and services
• partnership interests
• external support needs
• business information
• uploaded documents
• pitch decks
• videos
• images
• logos
• links
• other profile content

Leadership Network

If you join the Leadership Network, we may process additional information you provide, including:

• executive and board experience
• leadership interests
• preferred roles
• availability
• CVs
• LinkedIn profile
• video introductions
• other professional information

Leadership candidates control the visibility of their profiles and decide when their personal identity and contact details are shared.

Applications and communications

When you:

• apply to Open Calls
• apply for leadership opportunities
• request partnerships
• publish opportunities
• participate in pitch events
• communicate with other users

we process the information required to provide these services.

Payment information

Subscription payments are securely processed by our payment providers. R2GConnect does not store complete payment card information.

Technical information

When you use R2GConnect, our hosting infrastructure may automatically process limited technical information required to operate and secure the platform. This may include server logs, IP addresses, browser type, device type, date and time of access, and technical error information.

We use this information solely to operate, maintain and secure the platform. We do not use it to build user profiles or track your browsing activities across other websites.

3. How we use your information

We use your information to:

• create and manage your account
• provide the R2GConnect platform and its services
• enable matching between startups, industry partners, investors, service providers and leadership candidates
• process applications and partnership requests
• operate Innovation Scouting, Open Calls, Leadership Search and other platform features
• communicate with you
• improve our platform and services
• protect the security and integrity of the platform
• comply with legal obligations

Where permitted by law, we may also send newsletters, product updates or other service-related communications. You can unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time.

4. Legal basis for processing

We process your personal data only where permitted under applicable law. Depending on the service you use, processing is based on one or more of the following legal grounds under Article 6 GDPR:

• Performance of a contract – to create and manage your account, provide the R2GConnect platform, process applications, facilitate matching and deliver the services you request.
• Your consent – where you voluntarily provide consent, for example for optional marketing communications or other features requiring consent. You may withdraw your consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of processing carried out before withdrawal.
• Legitimate interests – to improve and secure our platform, prevent fraud and misuse, maintain platform integrity, support customer service, develop new features and operate our business efficiently, provided these interests do not override your rights and freedoms.
• Legal obligations – where processing is necessary to comply with applicable laws, regulations or legal requests.

5. AI-assisted services

R2GConnect uses AI and automated technologies to support services such as:

• company and profile summaries
• matching recommendations
• innovation shortlisting
• document analysis
• search assistance
• recommendation explanations
• drafting support

AI-generated content is intended to support users and does not replace human judgement. Users remain responsible for their own decisions.

6. Profile visibility and data sharing

Most profile information on R2GConnect is only visible to registered users where necessary to provide the platform’s services.

Contact details and other personal information are only shared when you:

• apply for an opportunity
• express interest in a partnership
• accept a connection or match request
• publish information yourself
• otherwise provide your consent

Leadership candidates may choose to keep their profiles anonymous until they decide to reveal their identity during the matching process.

7. How we share your information

We share personal information only where necessary to operate the platform.

This may include:

• other registered platform users you choose to interact with
• companies or organizations whose opportunities you apply for
• startups, investors, industry partners, service providers or leadership candidates participating in the same workflow
• trusted service providers supporting our platform
• payment providers
• hosting providers
• legal authorities where required by law

We do not sell your personal information.

8. Data hosting

R2GConnect is hosted within the European Union.

Our platform currently uses trusted infrastructure providers, including:

• Railway for application hosting
• Supabase for secure database services and data storage

We select service providers that support applicable European data protection requirements. Personal data is generally stored within the European Economic Area (EEA), unless required otherwise for the provision of a specific service or by applicable law.

9. International data transfers

Some of our service providers may process personal data outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Where this occurs, we implement appropriate safeguards in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the use of Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or other legally recognized transfer mechanisms where required.

10. Cookies and analytics

R2GConnect uses cookies and similar technologies that are necessary for the operation, security and performance of the platform.

Where required by law, we will request your consent before using optional cookies, such as analytics or marketing cookies.

Our platform currently uses services including:

• Railway
• Supabase
• Cloudflare
• Stripe
• Google Analytics (if enabled)
• Google Tag Manager (if enabled)

Some of these providers may use cookies or similar technologies as part of providing their services.

11. Data retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes and protect our legitimate business interests.

You may edit or remove much of your profile information directly from your account. You may also request deletion of your account by contacting us.

Certain information may need to be retained where required by law or for legitimate legal or security purposes.

12. Your rights

Under applicable data protection laws, you may have the right to:

• access your personal data
• correct inaccurate information
• request deletion of your data
• restrict processing
• receive a copy of your data (data portability)
• withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
• object to certain processing activities

To exercise your rights, please contact:

hello@research2guidance.com

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the competent data protection authority in your country of residence or where the alleged infringement occurred.

13. Data security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration and disclosure.

However, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

14. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time.

The latest version will always be published on this page together with the date of the latest revision.