Privacy Policy

1. Who we are

The Optional Founder is operated by Philip Wride, based in Dubai, UAE. We provide business diagnostic tools, assessments, and programmes for business owners.

If you have any questions about this policy or how we handle your data, contact us at hello@theoptionalfounder.com.

2. What we collect and why

We only collect personal data when you actively provide it through one of the following forms. We do not use tracking pixels, data brokers, or behavioural profiling systems.

3. Legal basis for processing

For UK and EU residents, we process your personal data on the following legal bases under UK GDPR and the EU General Data Protection Regulation:

• ConsentNewsletter subscriptions and ongoing marketing communications.
• ContractDelivering diagnostic reports and assessment results you requested.
• Legitimate interestFollowing up on applications to our programmes and responding to direct enquiries.

For US residents, please see Section 8 regarding your rights under CCPA/CPRA.

4. How we store your data

All data collected through our forms is stored in Supabase, a cloud database service with servers located in the United States and European Union. Supabase is SOC 2 Type II certified and applies encryption at rest and in transit.

PDF reports generated by our diagnostic and assessment tools are stored in secure cloud storage and accessed only to deliver your report to you.

5. How long we keep it

We retain your data for as long as it is needed for the purpose for which it was collected, or until you ask us to delete it — whichever comes first.

If you unsubscribe from the newsletter, your email is removed from the mailing list immediately. If you request deletion of all personal data we hold about you, we will action that request within 30 days.

6. Who we share it with

We do not sell or rent your personal data. We do not share it with advertisers or data brokers. The only third parties who may access your data are:

• —Supabase — for database and file storage (infrastructure provider)
• —Email service providers — to deliver reports and newsletters to your inbox

All third-party service providers are bound by data processing agreements and are only permitted to process your data for the specific purpose of delivering the services we use them for.

7. Your rights (UK and EU residents)

Under UK GDPR and EU GDPR, you have the right to:

• —Access the personal data we hold about you
• —Correct inaccurate data
• —Request deletion of your data
• —Withdraw consent at any time (without affecting processing already carried out)
• —Object to processing based on legitimate interest
• —Lodge a complaint with the UK ICO (ico.org.uk) or your local supervisory authority

To exercise any of these rights, email hello@theoptionalfounder.com. We will respond within 30 days.

8. California residents (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have the right to know what personal information we collect, to request deletion of your personal information, and to opt out of the sale of personal information. We do not sell personal information.

To submit a request under CCPA/CPRA, contact hello@theoptionalfounder.com.

9. Analytics

This site uses Google Analytics to understand how visitors use it — which pages are visited, how long people stay, and where they come from. Google Analytics uses cookies and collects anonymised usage data. If you prefer not to be tracked, you can install the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on.

10. Changes to this policy

If we make material changes to how we handle your data, we will update this page and revise the “Last updated” date at the top. Continued use of the site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Questions

If anything here is unclear, or if you want to exercise any of your rights, email us at hello@theoptionalfounder.com.