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​​​Privacy Policy

Effective Date: February 1, 2026

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1. Acceptance of Privacy Policy ​

Welcome to Startup Tucson (“Startup Tucson,” “our,” “we,” or “us”) and our Privacy Policy (“Privacy Policy”). This Privacy Policy is important and affects your legal rights, so please read carefully.

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By accessing or using www.startuptucson.com, www.startuptucson.guide, and/or our various related websites,  products, or services (collectively, the “Startup Tucson Services”), you agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy and all of the terms incorporated herein by reference. By using the Startup Tucson Services and/or submitting or collecting any personal data via the Startup Tucson Services, you accept, expressly consent, and agree to our practices surrounding the collection, use, and sharing of your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. IF YOU DO NOT CONSENT AND AGREE WITH THE TERMS OF THIS PRIVACY POLICY, YOU CANNOT, AND WE DO NOT AUTHORIZE YOU TO ACCESS, BROWSE, OR USE THE STARTUP TUCSON SERVICES.

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Our processing of personal information, such as your name, address, email address, or telephone number, will be undertaken consistent with the requirements of applicable privacy laws, including, but not limited to, the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”), the California Privacy Rights Act (the “CPRA”), the Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act of 2021, the Colorado Privacy Act of 2021, and the Utah Consumer Privacy Act of 2022, the Connecticut Data Privacy Act of 2022, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act, the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act, the Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act, the Tennessee Information Protection Act of 2023, the Iowa Consumer Data Protection Act of 2023, the Delaware Personal Data Privacy Act of 2023, the Nebraska Data Privacy Act of 2024, the New Hampshire Privacy Act of 2024, and the New Jersey Data Privacy Act of 2024, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), the UK General Data Protection Regulation (the “UK GDPR”), and the Canadian Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (the “PIPEDA”).

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2. Information We Collect

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2.1 Personal Information We Collect Directly from You

We receive personal information as described to you at the point of collection, pursuant to your consent, and/or when you voluntarily provide us with personal information, including:

  1. individual information (such as your email address and phone number);

  2. demographic information (such as your age and preferences);

  3. company information (such as your company’s address);

  4. financial information (such as your payment or billing name and address); and

  5. other identifying information that you voluntarily choose to provide to us, including without limitation unique identifiers such as passwords and personal information in messages you send to us.

We may also collect additional information, which may be personal information, as otherwise described to you at the point of collection or pursuant to your consent.

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2.2 Information We Automatically Collect When You Use Our Site

In order to access and use certain areas or features of the Startup Tucson Services, you consent to our collection and use of certain information about your use of the Startup Tucson Services through the use of tracking technologies or by other passive means, including when you receive, open, engage, forward, and/or click through the Startup Tucson Services. Your consent to our access and use of this “passively collected” information includes, but is not limited to, the domain name of the website that allowed you to navigate to the Startup Tucson Services, search engines used, the internet protocol (“IP”) address used, the length of time spent on the Startup Tucson Services, the pages you looked at on the Startup Tucson Services, other webpages you visited before and after visiting the Startup Tucson Services, the type of device and/or internet browser you have, the frequency of your visits to the Startup Tucson Services, and other relevant statistics (collectively “Traffic Data”).

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3. How We Collect Information

We collect information (including personal information and Traffic Data) when you use and interact with the Startup Tucson Services, and in some cases from third party sources. Such means of collection include:

  • When you access, use, or contact us through the Startup Tucson Services.

  • When you send an email, letter or other personal correspondence to Startup Tucson.

  • If you use a location-enabled browser, we may receive information about your location and device.

  • Through Cookies, Web Beacons, analytics services, and other tracking technologies (collectively, “Tracking Tools”).

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4. Tracking tools, Behavioral Advertising, and Opt-Out Options

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4.1 Tracking Tools

We may use tools outlined below in order to provide the Startup Tucson Services, advertise to, and better understand users.

  • Cookies: “Cookies” are small computer files transferred to your device that contain information such as user ID, user preferences, lists of pages visited, and activities conducted while using the Startup Tucson Services. We use Cookies to: (i) improve and tailor the Startup Tucson Services, (ii) customize advertisements, (iii) measure performance, (iv) store authentication so re-entering credentials is not required, (v) customize user experiences, and for (vi) analytics and fraud prevention. For more information on Cookies, including how to control your Cookie settings and preferences, visit http://www.allaboutCookies.org. You can also manage Cookies in your web browser (for example, Edge, Explorer, Chrome, Safari). If you choose to change your settings, you may find that certain functions or features of the Startup Tucson Services will not work as intended. The following details the types of Cookies we use and why we use them:

    • Absolutely Necessary Cookies. These Cookies are essential to enable you to move around a website and use its features. Without these Cookies, services you have asked for, like adding items to an online order, cannot be provided.

    • Performance Cookies. These Cookies collect information about how you use the Startup Tucson Services. Information collected includes; the Internet browsers and operating systems used, the domain name of the website previously visited, the number of visits, average duration of visit, and pages viewed. These Cookies do not collect information that personally identifies you and only collect aggregated and anonymous information. Performance Cookies are used to improve the user-friendliness of a website and enhance your experience.

    • Functionality Cookies. These Cookies allow the Startup Tucson Services to remember choices you make (such as your username, language preference, or the area or region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. These Cookies can also be used to remember changes you have made to text size, fonts, and other customizable parts of the Startup Tucson Services. The information these Cookies collect may be anonymized, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites.

  • Web Beacons: “Web Beacons” (a.k.a. clear GIFs or pixel tags) are tiny graphic image files embedded in a web page or email that may be used to collect information about the use of the Startup Tucson Services. The information collected by Web Beacons allows us to analyze how many people are using the Startup Tucson Services, using selected publishers’ websites, or opening emails, and for what purpose.​

  • Web Service Analytics: We may use third-party analytics services in connection with the Startup Tucson Services, including, for example, to register mouse clicks, mouse movements, scrolling activity, and text typed into the Startup Tucson Services. We use the information collected from these services to help make the Startup Tucson Services easier to use and as otherwise set forth in Section 6 (How We Use Your Information). These analytics services generally do not collect personal information unless you voluntarily provide it.

  • Mobile Device Identifiers: As with other Tracking Tools, mobile device identifiers help Startup Tucson learn more about our users’ demographics and Internet behaviors in order to personalize and improve the Startup Tucson Services. Mobile device identifiers are data stored on mobile devices that may track activities occurring on and through it, as well as the applications installed on it. Mobile device identifiers enable collection of personal information (such as media access control, address, and location) and Traffic Data.

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4.2 Behavioral Advertising

We may use a type of advertising commonly known as interest-based or online behavioral advertising. This means that some of our partners use Tracking Tools to collect information about a user’s online activities to display Startup Tucson ads to the user based on the user’s interests (“Behavioral Advertising”). Our partners may include third-party advertisers and other third-party service providers, and such partners may collect information when you use the Startup Tucson Services, such as IP address, mobile device ID, operating system, and demographic information. These Tracking Tools help Startup Tucson learn more about our users’ demographics and Internet behaviors.

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4.3 Options for Opting out of Cookies and Mobile Device Identifiers

If we process Cookies based on your consent (as indicated at the time of collection of such data), you have the right to withdraw your consent at any point in time by contacting us at info@startuptucson.com. Please note, if you exercise this right, you may have to provide your consent on a case-by-case basis to enable you to utilize some or all of the Startup Tucson Services.

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You may be able to reject Cookies and/or mobile device identifiers by activating the appropriate setting on your browser or device. Although you are not required to accept Startup Tucson’s Cookies or mobile device identifiers, if you block or reject them, you may not have access to all features available through the Startup Tucson Services.

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  • You may opt out of receiving certain Cookies by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative (“NAI”) opt-out page or the Digital Advertising Alliance (“DAA”) opt-out page, or by installing the DAA’s AppChoices app (for iOS; for Android) on your mobile device. When you use these opt-out features, an “opt-out” Cookie will be placed on your device indicating that you do not want to receive interest-based advertising from NAI or DAA member companies. If you delete Cookies on your device, you may need to opt-out again. For information about how to opt-out of interest-based advertising on mobile devices, please visit https://thenai.org/opt-out/mobile-opt-out/. You will need to opt-out of each browser and device for which you desire to apply these opt-out features.

  • Even after opting out of Behavioral Advertising, you may still see Startup Tucson advertisements that are not interest-based (i.e., not targeted toward you). Also, opting out does not mean that Startup Tucson is no longer using Tracking Tools. Startup Tucson still may collect information about your use of the Startup Tucson Services even after you have opted out of Behavioral Advertising and may still serve advertisements to you via the Startup Tucson Services based on information it collects through the Startup Tucson Services.

 

This Privacy Policy does not cover the use of Cookies and other Tracking Tools by any third parties, and we are not responsible for the privacy practices of any third party. Please be aware that some third-party Cookies can continue to track your activities online even after you have left the Startup Tucson Services.

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4.4 “Do Not Track” (“DNT”) and Universal Opt-Out Preference Signals

Some web browsers (including Safari, Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome) incorporate a “Do Not Track” or similar feature that signals to web services that a visitor does not want to have their online activity and behavior tracked. If a web service operator elects to respond to a particular DNT signal, the web service operator may refrain from collecting certain personal information about the browser’s user. Not all browsers offer a DNT option and there is currently no industry consensus as to what constitutes a DNT signal. For these reasons, many web service operators, including Startup Tucson, do not proactively respond to DNT signals. For more information about DNT signals, visit https://fpf.org/thank-you-for-visiting-allaboutdnt-com/.

New standards are being developed for a Universal Opt-Out Mechanism, such as the Global Privacy Control (“GPC”), which allow users with GPC-enabled browsers and devices to send a signal that will communicate the user’s request to opt-out of sales of their personal information and to opt-out of certain sharing of their personal information. The CPRA and other laws allow for the acceptance of Opt-Out Preference Signals such as the GPC, as an option for users to transmit an opt-out of selling/sharing personal information. If we detect and recognize such a signal from your device or browser, we will honor it.

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5. Artificial Intelligence & Automated Decision-Making

We may employ artificial intelligence (“AI”) technologies (“AI Systems”) to enhance the performance and functionality of the Startup Tucson Services which includes tailoring your experience through automated processing based on your activity using the Startup Tucson Services. The AI Systems work by analyzing your usage patterns, preferences, and other interactions within our services to predict your interests and preferences. The insights gathered allow us to improve our service offerings, provide personalized content and advertising, and enhance user satisfaction.

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By using the Startup Tucson Services, you consent to the use of AI as described in this Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review your privacy settings regularly to ensure they continue to reflect your preferences.

 

For more information on your rights and how we use AI, or if you have any concerns about automated decision-making processes, please contact us at info@startuptucson.com. 

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5.1 Data Collection by AI Systems

Our AI Systems collect data that you provide directly or indirectly through your interactions with the Startup Tucson Services. The data collected may include, but is not limited to:

  • Usage data, such as the pages you visit, the links you click on, and the searches you conduct on our platform.

  • Device and connection information, including your IP address, browser type, language, and cookies that uniquely identify your browser or account.

  • Location information, determined through data such as your IP address or device’s GPS signal.

 

We do not collect, use, or sell your personal data for the purpose of training AI System such as Large Language Models (“LLMs”).

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5.2 Automated Decisions 

Our AI Systems, if utilized, may make automated decisions including:

  • Content curation and recommendations based on user preferences and historical activity.

  • Fraud detection and prevention through behavior analysis to identify and flag unusual activity that deviates from typical usage patterns.

 

5.3 User Rights and Control

You have the right to:

  • Obtain an explanation of any automated decision and challenge its basis.

  • Opt-out of certain uses of your data, including profiling activities for personalized content or advertising.

  • Access the personal data that the AI Systems use or contribute to, and request rectification or erasure of such data.

  • Receive information about the logic involved in any automated decisions, as well as the significance and the envisaged consequences of such processing for you.

 

5.4 Safeguards and Oversight

We are committed to using AI responsibly. To this end, we implement the following safeguards:

  • Regular auditing of our AI Systems for accuracy, fairness, and effectiveness.

  • Human oversight to monitor AI decision-making and intervene as necessary to address anomalies or biases.

  • Compliance with privacy regulations, ensuring that data used by AI is processed lawfully, transparently, and securely.

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6. How We Use Your Information

We do not engage in automated decision making. We may use information (including information that has been de-identified and/or aggregated) to better understand who uses the Startup Tucson Services and how we can deliver a better user experience. We use information, including personal information, to provide the Startup Tucson Services and to help improve the Startup Tucson Services, to develop new services, and to advertise our services. Specifically, such use may include:

  • Providing you with the products, services, and information you request.

  • Corresponding with you.

  • Providing, maintaining, administering, or expanding the Startup Tucson Services, performing business analyses, and for other internal purposes.

  • Combining information received from third parties with information that we have from or about you and using the combined information for any of the purposes described in this Privacy Policy.

  • Showing you advertisements, including interest-based or online behavioral advertising.

  • Fulfilling our legal obligations, such as preventing, detecting, and investigating security incidents, fraud, and potentially illegal or prohibited activities. 

  • Enforcing our Privacy Policy, Terms of Use and other agreements.

 

By providing your email and/or phone number and checking a box, clicking the “subscribe now” button, or some other affirmative act, you are consenting to receive emails and/or calls and text messages, including live, prerecorded, and/or automated calls and messages, to that email or phone number. After signing up, you will receive a confirmation email or text message from Startup Tucson on your mobile number. This agreement is not entered into as a term or requirement of any purchase or promotion. Normal message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary. Neither we nor the participating carriers guarantee that messages will be delivered. We may discontinue these programs at any time without notice.

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7. How We Share Your Information

In certain circumstances, and in order to perform the Startup Tucson Services, we may share certain information about you as described in this Section:

  • We do not sell your personal information to third parties.

  • We may share your personal information with our partners and sponsors to customize or display our advertising.

  • We may share your personal information and/or Traffic Data with our partners who perform operational services for us (such as hosting, billing, fulfillment, data storage, security, insurance verification, web service analytics, or ad serving).

  • We may share your personal information and/or Traffic Data with our partners to analyze device activities and generate targeted advertisements. 

  • We may transfer your personal information to another company in connection with a proposed merger, sale, acquisition, or other change of ownership or control by or of Startup Tucson (whether in whole or in part). We will make reasonable efforts to notify you before your information becomes subject to different privacy practices.

  • We also may need to disclose your personal information or any other information we collect about you if we determine in good faith that such disclosure is needed to: (1) comply with or fulfill our obligations under applicable law; (2) protect the rights, property, or safety of you, Startup Tucson, or another party; (3) enforce this Privacy Policy or other agreements with you; or (4) respond to claims that any posting or other content violates third-party rights.

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8. Collection and Use of Sensitive Information

We have collected the following categories of sensitive personal information from consumers within the last 12 months:

  • Racial or ethnic origin

  • Mail, email, or text message contents

  • sexual orientation

 

We do not use or disclose sensitive personal information for purposes other than those specified in the CCPA/CPRA.

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9. Storage and Security of Information

Any information you send to us electronically, while using the Startup Tucson Services or otherwise interacting with us, may not be secure when it is transmitted to us. We recommend that you do not use unsecure channels to communicate sensitive or confidential information to us. Please be aware, despite our best efforts, no security measures are perfect or impenetrable, and we cannot guarantee “perfect security.” Any information you send us through any means is transmitted at your own risk.

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10. Your Choices

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10.1 Information You Provide

You can choose whether or not to provide personal information through the Startup Tucson Services. We will not discriminate against you for exercising any of your rights relating to your personal information and will not (i) deny you goods or services, (ii) provide you with a different level or quality of services, or (iii) charge you different prices for services for doing so.

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10.2 California Privacy Rights

In the preceding 12 months, we collected and disclosed for a business purpose the following categories of personal information about California consumers:

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