PRIVACY POLICY
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect your personal data when you visit our website, communicate with us, apply to work with us, attend our events or use any of our services.
By using our website or engaging with Merchant & Stone, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.
1. Who We Are
Merchant & Stone is a venture builder and strategic advisory firm that works with founders, investors, entrepreneurs, family offices and corporate partners to help create, build and grow innovative businesses.
For the purposes of UK data protection legislation, Merchant & Stone is the Data Controller of your personal information where we determine how and why your data is processed.
2. Information We Collect
Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:
Personal Information
- Name
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Company name
- Job title
- Postal address
- Country of residence
Business Information
- Company information
- Business plans
- Investment information
- Pitch decks
- Funding requirements
- Professional background
- LinkedIn profile
- Areas of interest
Technical Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- IP address
- Browser type
- Device information
- Operating system
- Pages visited
- Time spent on our website
- Cookies and similar technologies
3. How We Collect Information
We collect information when you:
- Contact us through our website
- Complete enquiry forms
- Apply to our venture programmes
- Subscribe to newsletters
- Attend events
- Download publications
- Request information
- Engage with us by email, telephone or social media
- Meet with members of our team
We may also receive information from publicly available sources or trusted third parties where permitted by law.
4. How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information to:
- Respond to enquiries
- Assess venture applications
- Deliver our advisory services
- Manage investor and founder relationships
- Arrange meetings and events
- Improve our services
- Send relevant updates and insights
- Maintain website security
- Comply with legal obligations
- Protect our business and users against fraud or misuse
We only use your information where we have a lawful basis for doing so.
5. Legal Basis for Processing
Depending on the circumstances, we process your information because:
- You have provided your consent.
- Processing is necessary to fulfil a contract.
- Processing is required to comply with legal obligations.
- Processing is necessary for our legitimate business interests, provided these interests do not override your rights and freedoms.
6. Marketing Communications
Where you have requested information or consented to receive updates, we may occasionally send news, insights, invitations or information about Merchant & Stone.
You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link or by contacting us directly.
7. Sharing Your Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may share information with:
- Professional advisers
- Technology providers
- Event partners
- Payment providers
- Professional consultants
- Regulatory authorities where legally required
- Courts or law enforcement where required by law
All third parties are expected to maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality and data security.
8. International Transfers
Some of our trusted service providers may operate outside the United Kingdom.
Where this occurs, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your personal information in accordance with applicable data protection laws.
9. Data Security
We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to safeguard your personal information against:
- Unauthorised access
- Loss
- Misuse
- Disclosure
- Alteration
- Destruction
While no online system can ever be completely secure, we continually review our security measures to protect your information.
10. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to:
- Provide our services
- Meet legal obligations
- Resolve disputes
- Protect our legitimate business interests
When information is no longer required, it is securely deleted or anonymised.
11. Your Rights
Subject to applicable law, you may have the right to:
- Access your personal information
- Correct inaccurate information
- Request deletion of your information
- Restrict processing
- Object to processing
- Withdraw consent
- Request data portability
- Lodge a complaint with the relevant supervisory authority
We will respond to legitimate requests within the timeframes required by law.
12. Cookies
Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to:
- Improve website performance
- Understand visitor behaviour
- Enhance user experience
- Measure website usage
You may manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings.
13. Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to external websites.
Merchant & Stone is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites. We encourage users to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.
14. Children’s Privacy
Our services are intended for business professionals and individuals aged 18 years or older.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
15. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legislation, technology or our business operations.
The latest version will always be published on our website.
16. Contact
If you have any questions regarding this Privacy Policy or how Merchant & Stone processes your personal information, please contact us using the contact details published on our website.