Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 9, 2026

This Privacy Policy explains how LaunchYear.co (“LaunchYear,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) collects, uses, and shares information when you use our website and services (the “Service”).

1. Information We Collect

Information you provide directly:

• Account information: name, email, phone number, age/date of birth, school, and (for students) resume or application details
• Parent/guardian information, when a user is under 18
• Company information: company name, contact details, and Opportunity listings
• Messages, applications, and communications sent through the Service

Information collected automatically:

• Device and usage data (IP address, browser type, pages visited, referring pages)
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies (see Section 5)

2. Minors' Information

Because the Service is designed in part for high school and gap year students, some users may be under 18. For users under 18:

• We require parental or guardian consent before collecting personal information, consistent with applicable law (including COPPA for users under 13, if applicable).
• Parents/guardians may review, update, or request deletion of their child's information at any time by contacting us (Section 8).
• We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent.

3. How We Use Information

We use collected information to:

• Create and manage accounts;
• Match students with relevant Opportunities and facilitate introductions to companies;
• Communicate with users about their account, applications, or Opportunities;
• Improve, secure, and operate the Service;
• Comply with legal obligations.

4. How We Share Information

• With companies: Student profile and application information is shared with companies to facilitate Opportunity matching, only as needed for that purpose.
• Service providers: We may share information with vendors who help us operate the Service (e.g., hosting, analytics, email delivery), under confidentiality obligations.
• Legal reasons: We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or to protect the safety of users or the public.
• Business transfers: If LaunchYear is involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset sale, user information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

We do not sell personal information.

5. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to keep you logged in, remember preferences, and understand how the Service is used. You can control cookies through your browser settings; disabling them may limit some features.

6. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as needed to provide the Service and fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access, correct, or delete your personal information;
• Object to or restrict certain processing;
• Withdraw consent (for minors, parents/guardians may exercise these rights on the minor's behalf).

To exercise these rights, contact us at support@launchyear.co.

9. Children's Privacy (Under 13)

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent, as required by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). If we learn we have collected such information without consent, we will delete it. Parents who believe their child under 13 has provided information without consent should contact us immediately.

10. International Users

LaunchYear is based in and operates the Service from the United States. If you access the Service from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your jurisdiction. By using the Service, you consent to this transfer.

If you are located in the European Economic Area, United Kingdom, or Switzerland, you have additional rights under the GDPR/UK GDPR, including the right to access, correct, delete, or port your data, and to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority. Our legal basis for processing includes consent (for minors' data), performance of a contract (matching students with Opportunities), and legitimate interest (operating and improving the Service).

If you are a California resident, you have rights under the CCPA/CPRA, including the right to know, delete, and opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information. As stated in Section 4, we do not sell personal information.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Material changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.

12. Contact Us

Questions about this Privacy Policy or your data can be sent to support@launchyear.co.