Privacy Policy

01Information We Collect

We may collect information that you provide directly to us when you:

• Create an account.
• Register for the SOF Technology Expo.
• Purchase products, tickets, memberships, or services.
• Submit an enquiry or contact form.
• Subscribe to newsletters or promotional communications.
• Participate in events, competitions, awards, or programs.
• Contact customer support.
• Submit a startup, exhibitor, sponsor, investor, or partner application.

Depending on the service, information may include:

• Full name.
• Business/company name.
• Email address.
• Mobile number.
• Billing and shipping address.
• Business address.
• GST or other business information, where applicable.
• Account login information.
• Order and transaction details.
• Event registration information.
• Startup/company information.
• Communication preferences.
• Information voluntarily submitted through forms or applications.

02Information Collected Automatically

When you access our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:

• IP address.
• Browser type and version.
• Device type.
• Operating system.
• Website pages visited.
• Date and time of access.
• Referring website.
• Approximate location information.
• Website interaction and usage information.

We may collect this information through cookies, server logs, analytics tools, and similar technologies.

03How We Use Your Information

We may use collected information to:

• Create and manage your account.
• Process registrations and applications.
• Process orders and payments.
• Deliver purchased products or services.
• Manage event participation.
• Provide customer support.
• Communicate with you regarding your account, order, registration, or application.
• Send important service-related notifications.
• Improve our website and services.
• Understand customer preferences and website usage.
• Prevent fraud, abuse, and unauthorized activity.
• Maintain website security.
• Conduct business analysis and reporting.
• Promote SOF Technology Expo events, programs, products, and services.
• Send marketing communications where permitted by applicable law.

04E-Commerce and Orders

If you purchase products, tickets, memberships, or other services through our website, we may collect information necessary to process your transaction. This may include:

• Customer name.
• Contact information.
• Billing information.
• Shipping information.
• Order details.
• Payment status.
• Transaction reference.
• Delivery information.

Payment transactions may be processed through third-party payment gateways. We do not intend to store complete debit-card, credit-card, banking-password, or other sensitive payment credentials on our ordinary website systems.

05Event Registration

For participation in Startup of the Future (SOF) Technology Expo, we may collect information required to manage:

• Visitor registration.
• Startup registration.
• Exhibitor registration.
• Sponsor registration.
• Investor registration.
• Speaker or mentor participation.
• Award applications.
• Workshops and conference participation.
• Event communications.

Additional information may be requested depending on the particular event or program.

06Startup, Exhibitor and Business Information

If you voluntarily submit startup, company, product, business, or project information for an expo, award, funding, exhibition, promotional, or partnership program, we may use such information for the purpose for which it was submitted.

Certain information may be displayed publicly where you have expressly agreed to participate in a public listing, directory, showcase, award, exhibition, or promotional program.

07Marketing Communications

Where permitted by applicable law, we may send information about:

• Upcoming SOF Technology Expo events.
• Products and services.
• Offers and promotions.
• Startup programs.
• Awards and competitions.
• Membership opportunities.
• Workshops and conferences.
• Partner programs.

You may unsubscribe from promotional communications at any time by using the unsubscribe option provided in the communication or by contacting us.

Service-related communications necessary for your account, order, registration, or transaction may still be sent.

08Sharing of Information

We may share information with trusted third parties where reasonably necessary to operate our website and provide our services. These may include:

• Payment gateway providers.
• Shipping and logistics partners.
• Technology and hosting providers.
• Website and analytics providers.
• Communication and notification providers.
• Customer-support service providers.
• Event management partners.
• Professional advisors.
• Legal or regulatory authorities where required by law.

We do not sell your personal information merely for the purpose of selling personal data to unrelated third parties.

09Legal and Regulatory Disclosure

We may disclose information where we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with applicable laws or legal processes.
• Respond to lawful requests from government authorities.
• Protect our legal rights.
• Prevent fraud or unauthorized activity.
• Protect the safety and security of our users, employees, partners, or systems.
• Investigate suspected violations of our policies.

10Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of internet transmission or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including:

• Providing requested services.
• Maintaining accounts and records.
• Completing transactions.
• Managing event participation.
• Meeting legal, accounting, tax, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
• Resolving disputes.
• Preventing fraud and abuse.

When information is no longer required, it may be deleted, anonymized, or securely disposed of, subject to applicable legal requirements.

12Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to improve website functionality, maintain sessions, remember preferences, analyse traffic, and support certain marketing activities.

For more information, please refer to our Cookies Policy.

13Third-Party Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, applications, social-media platforms, payment services, or other external services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, security, or policies of third-party websites. We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of third-party websites before providing personal information.

14Children’s Privacy

Our services are not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children in violation of applicable law. Where services involve participation by minors, appropriate requirements and safeguards may apply.

15Your Privacy Rights

Subject to applicable law, you may have rights relating to your personal information, which may include the ability to:

• Request information about personal data processed by us.
• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Request deletion of information where legally applicable.
• Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
• Request information regarding how your personal data is used.
• Raise a privacy-related complaint or grievance.

Requests may be subject to reasonable verification requirements and applicable legal limitations.

16Withdrawal of Consent

Where we process personal information based on your consent, you may withdraw your consent by contacting us or using available account or communication settings. Withdrawal of consent may affect our ability to provide certain services or features that depend on that consent. Withdrawal will not affect processing that was lawfully carried out before consent was withdrawn.

17Data Transfers

Depending on the technology providers and services used by the Company, personal information may be processed or stored through service providers located in India or other jurisdictions, subject to applicable laws and contractual or organizational safeguards.

18Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our services, technology, business practices, or applicable laws. The revised policy will be published on this page with an updated Last Updated date. We encourage users to periodically review this Privacy Policy.

19Contact Us

For questions, requests, concerns, or complaints relating to this Privacy Policy or the processing of your personal information, please contact:

20Grievance / Privacy Complaints

If you have a concern regarding the handling of your personal information, you may contact us using the official contact details provided above.

We will review and respond to privacy-related requests and complaints in accordance with applicable laws and our internal procedures.

21Acceptance of This Policy

By accessing or using the Startup of the Future (SOF) Technology Expo website and related services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. Where legally required, we will obtain appropriate consent before processing personal information for specific purposes.