Privacy Policy

Effective date: 1 January 2024  ·  Last updated: 1 January 2024

1. Overview

Mentova ("Mentova", "we", "us", or "our") operates the website mentova.app and provides a curated expert network connecting startups and growing businesses with experienced professionals. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and protect information when you visit our website, submit an inquiry, or interact with our services.

We are committed to handling your personal information responsibly, transparently, and with respect. We do not sell personal data. We collect only what is necessary to operate and improve our services.

By using mentova.app or submitting any form or inquiry, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy.

2. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you contact us, submit a request, or apply to join Mentova as an expert, we may collect:

  • Your name
  • Your email address
  • The nature and subject of your inquiry
  • Any additional information you voluntarily include in a message or application

We do not collect payment card details directly. Payment processing, where applicable, is handled through third-party payment providers.

Contact Form Submissions

When you use the contact form on mentova.app, we collect the information you enter, including your name, email address, inquiry type, subject, and message. This information is used to respond to your inquiry and, where relevant, to initiate an expert matching or application review process.

Technical Information

When you visit our website, basic technical data may be collected automatically, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, referring URL, pages visited, and time of visit. This information is collected for security, performance monitoring, and basic analytics purposes. We do not use this information to identify individual users.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • Responding to inquiries: To read, review, and respond to messages and requests submitted through our contact form or by email.
  • Service delivery: To review startup matching requests, process expert applications, and facilitate introductions between startups and experts where appropriate.
  • Communication: To send service-related communications, including confirmations, updates, and responses related to your request or engagement.
  • Improving our services: To understand how our website is used and to improve the quality and relevance of our services over time.
  • Legal and operational compliance: To meet applicable legal obligations, protect the rights of Mentova and its users, and maintain records for legitimate business purposes.

We do not use your personal information for automated profiling, targeted advertising, or resale to third parties.

4. Sharing & Disclosure

Mentova does not sell, rent, or trade personal information. We share information only in the following limited circumstances:

  • With experts or businesses, as part of service delivery: When an introduction is being facilitated, relevant information you have provided (such as your business name, inquiry nature, or professional background) may be shared with the other party, as necessary to enable that introduction. We will only do this in a manner consistent with the service you requested.
  • With service providers: We may use third-party tools or platforms to operate our website, process forms, send emails, or analyse usage. These providers are used solely to support our operations and are not permitted to use your data for their own purposes.
  • For legal compliance: If required by law, court order, or regulatory authority, we may disclose information to the extent required.

5. Communications

Mentova may send you emails related to your inquiry, request, or application. These are service communications — not marketing emails.

Automated notification emails are sent from noreply@mentova.app. This address is used for system-generated notifications only and is not monitored for replies.

Human responses to your inquiries come from contact@mentova.app or support@mentova.app, depending on the nature of your contact.

If you wish to stop receiving communications from Mentova, you may contact us at support@mentova.app and we will process your request promptly.

6. Cookies & Analytics

Mentova's website may use cookies or similar technologies to improve your browsing experience and collect basic usage analytics. These may include:

  • Essential cookies: Required for the basic functionality of the website.
  • Analytics cookies: Used to understand how visitors interact with the site — such as which pages are most visited and how long sessions last. We use this data in aggregate form only.

We do not use cookies for advertising or user tracking across other websites. Most browsers allow you to manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some parts of the site.

7. Data Protection

Mentova takes reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect the personal information we hold. This includes secure transmission of data, access controls, and responsible data handling practices.

No method of data transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. While we take data protection seriously and work to maintain reasonable safeguards, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

We encourage you not to share sensitive personal information (such as financial details, government identification, or passwords) in general inquiry messages.

8. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal information we hold about you
  • Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
  • Request deletion of your personal data, subject to any legal or operational retention requirements
  • Withdraw consent to communications at any time
  • Lodge a complaint with a relevant data protection authority if you believe your rights have been violated

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at support@mentova.app. We will respond to your request within a reasonable time frame.

9. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as it is reasonably necessary to fulfil the purposes for which it was collected — including responding to inquiries, maintaining records of completed engagements, and meeting applicable legal obligations.

Inquiry and contact form submissions may be retained for a period of up to 24 months from the date of last interaction, after which they may be deleted or anonymised unless there is an ongoing business or legal reason to retain them.

If you would like us to delete your information earlier, you may request this at support@mentova.app.

10. Policy Updates

Mentova may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, services, or legal obligations. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

We encourage you to review this page periodically. Continued use of mentova.app after a policy update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, want to exercise your data rights, or have a privacy-related concern, please contact us:

  • Email: support@mentova.app
  • Business: Mentova, mentova.app
  • Operations: Remote-first, India-based

We aim to respond to all privacy-related inquiries within 5 business days.