Syrena Privacy Policy

Last Modified: 22/04/2025

1. WELCOME

1.1 Syrena Ltd ("Syrena", "we", "us" or "our") operates a platform available via our website at www.syrena.co and via direct invitation, including WhatsApp communities and physical and online events (the "Syrena Services"). These services connect startup founders, investors, and service providers for curated introductions, community building, and startup support.

1.2 This privacy policy sets out how we collect, use, store, and share personal information when you interact with the Syrena Services.

1.3 Please read this policy carefully. If you have any questions, contact us using the details in section 3 below.

2. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

2.1 Syrena Ltd is the controller of your personal information when you interact with our services. This includes when you register for an event, join a WhatsApp group, use our website, or engage with our communications.

2.2 In some cases, such as curated introductions to investors or sponsors, we may share your data with third parties (with your consent). In those cases, the third party may also be a controller of your data and responsible under their own privacy policies.

3. HOW TO CONTACT US

If you have any questions about this policy or wish to exercise your rights, you can contact us at:

Email: privacy@syrena.co.uk

Postal Address: Syrena Ltd [Insert Registered Address] United Kingdom

4. INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND HOW WE USE IT

4.1 When You Contact Us

Personal Information
How we use it
Legal basis
Name, email, role, LinkedIn, company name
To respond to your enquiry and provide support
Legitimate interest
Any content you share in the message
For support or internal improvement
Legitimate interest
Newsletter opt-in
To send you event updates and community news
Consent

4.2 When You Register for Events

Personal Information
How we use it
Legal basis
Name, email, job title, LinkedIn, startup/investor type, stage, location
To manage your registration and personalize your experience
Performance of contract
Attendance/check-in data
To manage capacity, track engagement and report to partners
Legitimate interest
Feedback or survey responses
To improve events and services
Legitimate interest

4.3 When You Join Our WhatsApp or Community Groups

Personal Information
How we use it
Legal basis
Name, phone number, LinkedIn, role, startup/fund name
To assign you to relevant groups
Performance of contract
Group interactions (e.g. messages, polls)
To support engagement and group quality
Legitimate interest
Weekly action check-ins or updates you share
To promote accountability and community learning
Legitimate interest

4.4 When You Subscribe to Paid Services

Personal Information
How we use it
Legal basis
Name, email, role, payment info (via secure processor)
To process your subscription
Performance of contract
Access logs to subscriber content or perks
To manage entitlements and optimize experience
Legitimate interest
Cancellation or billing updates
To administer your subscription
Performance of contract

4.5 When We Facilitate Introductions

Personal Information
How we use it
Legal basis
Name, email, LinkedIn, company name, context of the intro
To introduce you to a relevant investor, founder, or service provider
Consent
Engagement metrics (e.g. who connected, responded)
To report anonymised insights to sponsors or improve matchmaking
Legitimate interest

4.6 When You Are Referred or Refer Someone

Personal Information
How we use it
Legal basis
Your name, contact details, and referrer’s information
To validate and process the referral
Performance of contract
Referred person’s information
To invite or follow up on the referral
Legitimate interest
Bank details (if referral reward is offered)
To process payment
Performance of contract

4.7 When You Visit Our Website or Interact With Digital Platforms

Personal Information
How we use it
Legal basis
IP address, device/browser info, location
To ensure site functionality and security
Performance of contract
Page views, clicks, referring pages, session duration
To analyze engagement and improve our platform
Consent (via cookie banner)
Cookie preferences
To remember your settings
Consent

5. COOKIES AND SIMILAR TECHNOLOGIES

We use cookies to:

  • Operate the site (essential cookies)
  • Analyze usage to improve our website (analytics cookies)
  • Personalize your experience

You can manage or withdraw consent via the cookie banner on our site. For full details, please refer to our Cookie Policy.

6. HOW LONG WE KEEP YOUR INFORMATION

  • Contact forms and enquiries: 2 years from last contact
  • Event registration and attendance: 2 years after the event
  • WhatsApp and community group data: As long as you are active, or until you request removal
  • Subscription records and payments: 7 years (for legal/accounting)
  • Referral and reward data: As long as required to process rewards
  • Analytics and cookie data: Up to 14 months (where consented)

7. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION

We may share your information with:

  • Event partners and sponsors (only where relevant or with your consent)
  • Service providers (email, CRM, payment, hosting)
  • Legal authorities if required by law
  • Business partners in the case of a merger, sale, or acquisition

8. INTERNATIONAL DATA TRANSFERS

Some providers we work with (e.g. email or payment processors) may store your data outside the UK/EEA. We ensure appropriate safeguards like standard contractual clauses or compliance with international data frameworks.

9. YOUR RIGHTS

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data
  • Correct or update it
  • Request deletion
  • Object to or restrict certain uses
  • Withdraw consent
  • Request data portability

Contact: privacy@syrena.co.uk

You can also reach out to the ICO at https://ico.org.uk/make-a-complaint/

10. SECURITY

We take technical and organisational measures to secure your data. If a data breach occurs, we will notify affected users and authorities as required.

11. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY

The Syrena Services are not directed at individuals under 18. We do not knowingly collect or process personal data from minors.

12. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. The latest version will be posted at www.syrena.co.uk/privacy-page with the updated date at the top.