Who we are
VAStartups.org ("we," "us") is an independent directory of the Virginia startup ecosystem. We're editorial, not commercial. We don't run advertising, we don't sell data, and we don't do affiliate marketing.
What data we collect
Three categories, that's all:
- Analytics about how the site is used. We use Fathom Analytics (privacy-first, cookieless, GDPR-compliant by design) and Google Analytics 4. These tell us which pages are read and where visitors come from. No personal identifiers, no behavioral profiles.
- Information you give us in a form. If you submit a startup via /submit or subscribe to the newsletter, we store the contact name and email you provide so we can follow up or send the newsletter. That's it.
- Standard server logs. Our host (Cloudflare) and database (Supabase) keep short-lived request logs for security and operations, like any website.
Cookies and tracking technologies
Fathom Analytics does not set cookies. Google Analytics 4 sets first-party cookies (_ga, _ga_*) used to count unique visits and sessions. We do not use cookies for advertising or cross-site tracking, because we don't do either of those things.
How we use the data
- To understand which content people find useful, so we know what to write more of.
- To reply to submissions, corrections, or sponsorship inquiries you initiate.
- To send the newsletter, if you signed up.
- To keep the site running and secure.
We do not use your data to build advertising profiles, sell to third parties, or train AI models.
Who we share data with
- Cloudflare — hosts the site.
- Supabase — stores the directory, submissions, and newsletter list.
- Fathom Analytics — anonymized pageview data.
- Google (Analytics 4) — pageview and session data. Google may use this data per their own policies.
We do not share data with advertisers, data brokers, or any other third party beyond the operational vendors above.
Your choices
Depending on where you live, you have specific rights. Anyone can exercise these:
Opt out of Google Analytics
Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on. This stops GA4 from collecting any data from your browser on any site.
Send the “Do Not Track” / Global Privacy Control signal
Browsers like Firefox, Brave, and DuckDuckGo can send a Global Privacy Control header. We honor it as an opt-out of any “sale” or “sharing” of personal data, as defined by Virginia's VCDPA and California's CCPA/CPRA.
Block third-party scripts
uBlock Origin, Brave Shields, and Safari's Intelligent Tracking Prevention will already block GA4 by default. We won't try to work around this.
Unsubscribe from the newsletter
Every newsletter email includes an unsubscribe link in the footer.
Delete data we have about you
Email hello@vastartups.org from the address you used and we'll remove your submission, newsletter subscription, or correction request. Analytics data is aggregated and anonymized — there's no individual record to delete.
State-specific notes
Virginia (VCDPA): We provide this notice and honor opt-out requests for the targeted advertising and sale categories — though as noted above, we don't do either.
California (CCPA/CPRA): California residents have the right to know, delete, correct, and opt out of “sale” or “sharing” of personal information. To exercise: email hello@vastartups.org or send the Global Privacy Control signal. Categories we collect: identifiers (email, IP), internet activity (pages viewed). We do not knowingly sell personal information.
Other US states (CO, CT, OR, TX, etc.): Similar rights apply. Same email address.
EU / UK: We don't actively target EU or UK users, and we don't use a consent banner. If you are an EU/UK resident visiting the site and want to exercise GDPR rights (access, rectification, erasure), email hello@vastartups.org.
Children
The site is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect data from them.
Changes to this notice
When we change this notice, we update the “Last updated” date at the top. Material changes will be flagged in the next issue of the newsletter.
Contact
Questions: hello@vastartups.org.