Privacy Policy

This policy describes what LaunchNest collects when you browse, sign in, vote, comment, or submit a startup, and which service providers help us run the site.

Who is responsible

LaunchNest, reachable through the contact form. A formal operator name and postal address will be added here when the entity is confirmed.

Types of data

If you sign in with Google or GitHub we receive your basic profile from that provider: a name, an email address, a username, and an avatar image. We never receive your password and never post on your behalf. We also store what you choose to send us: submissions, votes, ratings, comments, claims, and support messages. Theme and some saves are kept in localStorage on your device.

How data is used

To operate the site, keep you signed in, review submissions, send a letter you asked for, process a payment you start, detect abuse, and understand which pages are useful so we can improve the directory. We do not sell personal contact lists.

Where it is processed

The site, its database, and its images run on Cloudflare. Sign-in is handled by Google or GitHub, depending on the button you choose. Forms are protected against bots by Cloudflare Turnstile. Usage statistics are processed by Google Analytics (see below).

Google Analytics

Public pages load Google Analytics 4 (gtag.js from Google). It sets first-party cookies (such as _ga) and sends Google information about your visit: pages viewed, referrer, approximate location derived from your IP address, device and browser type, and interactions such as clicks and scrolls. We use these reports only in aggregate to see how visitors use LaunchNest. Google processes this data under its own privacy policy. You can block it with your browser's tracking protection, a content blocker, or Google's Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The admin area never loads analytics.

Retention

Account and submission data is kept only as long as needed for the service, legal duties, and honest archives of featured listings. Sign-in sessions expire after 30 days. Google Analytics event data is kept under the retention setting of our Analytics property. You may clear local data in your browser at any time.

Cookies and similar tools

We use a sign-in session cookie (ln_session) and a short-lived cookie that protects the sign-in flow, plus localStorage for theme and saves. Google Analytics sets its own cookies (_ga and _ga_*) to count visits. Cloudflare Turnstile may use similar signals to tell people from bots.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights to access, correct, delete, or export personal data, or to object to certain processing. Use the contact form to ask. You may also lodge a complaint with a local authority.

Children

LaunchNest is not directed at children under 16, and we do not knowingly collect their data.

Changes

We will update this page when the practice changes. Last updated November 12, 2026.