Privacy Policy

 

Last Updated: October 22, 2025

Introduction

Initiate Concept (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website [initiateconcept.co], use our services, or interact with us.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.

Information We Collect

Information You Provide to Us

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

Contact Us or Schedule Consultations:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Phone number
  • Company/organization name
  • Job title or role
  • Information about your technical challenges or business needs
  • Any other information you choose to provide in messages or forms

Engage Our Services:

  • Business information
  • Project details
  • Technical requirements
  • Payment information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)

Information Automatically Collected

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing actions:

Device and Usage Information:

  • IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Operating system
  • Referring website
  • Pages visited on our site
  • Date and time of visits
  • Time spent on pages
  • Links clicked

Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your browsing behavior. You can control cookies through your browser settings.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

To Provide and Improve Our Services:

  • Respond to your inquiries and requests
  • Schedule and conduct consultations
  • Deliver fractional CTO services and technical consulting
  • Communicate with you about our services
  • Provide technical support

Business Operations:

  • Maintain and improve our website
  • Analyze website usage and trends
  • Detect and prevent fraud or security issues
  • Comply with legal obligations

Marketing and Communications:

  • Send you information about our services (with your consent)
  • Share relevant content, resources, or insights
  • Notify you about changes to our services or policies

You can opt out of marketing communications at any time by:

  • Clicking “unsubscribe” in any marketing email
  • Contacting us at hello@initiateconcept.co
  • Updating your communication preferences

How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

Service Providers: We may share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, such as:

  • Website hosting providers
  • Email service providers
  • Scheduling tools (e.g., HubSpot)
  • Analytics providers
  • Payment processors

Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law or in response to:

  • Valid legal processes (subpoenas, court orders)
  • Requests from government authorities
  • Protection of our rights, property, or safety
  • Prevention of fraud or illegal activities

Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change.

With Your Consent: We may share your information for any other purpose with your explicit consent.

Important Notice Regarding Healthcare Information

DO NOT SUBMIT PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION (PHI):

Our website contact forms and email communications are NOT HIPAA-compliant for transmitting protected health information (PHI) or personal health data.

Please do NOT include any of the following in your communications:

  • Patient names or identifiers
  • Medical record numbers
  • Health conditions or diagnoses
  • Treatment information
  • Any other protected health information as defined by HIPAA

If you need to discuss matters involving PHI or sensitive health data, please:

  • Schedule a secure consultation through our meeting scheduler
  • Contact us to arrange a secure communication method
  • Discuss via phone or video call (not email or web forms)

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction.

Security Measures Include:

  • Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
  • Secure hosting infrastructure
  • Access controls and authentication
  • Regular security assessments
  • Data backup procedures

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Retention Periods:

  • Contact form inquiries: Retained for 2 years or until you request deletion
  • Client project information: Retained for 7 years for business and legal compliance purposes
  • Marketing communications data: Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion
  • Website analytics: Retained for 26 months (standard Google Analytics retention)

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you

Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information

Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal retention requirements)

Opt-Out: Opt out of marketing communications at any time

Portability: Request a copy of your information in a portable format

Object: Object to our processing of your information for certain purposes

To Exercise Your Rights: Contact us at hello@initiateconcept.co with your request. We will respond within 30 days.

California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

Right to Know: You can request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you.

Right to Delete: You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.

Right to Opt-Out: You have the right to opt out of the sale of your personal information. We do not sell personal information.

Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your CCPA rights.

To Exercise Your CCPA Rights: Email us at hello@initiateconcept.co or call 651-217-1855

We will verify your identity before responding to your request.

European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

Legal Basis for Processing: We process your personal information based on:

  • Your consent (for marketing communications)
  • Contractual necessity (to provide our services)
  • Legitimate interests (to operate and improve our business)
  • Legal obligations

Your GDPR Rights:

  • Right of access
  • Right to rectification
  • Right to erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
  • Right to restrict processing
  • Right to data portability
  • Right to object to processing
  • Right to withdraw consent
  • Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

To Exercise Your GDPR Rights: Contact us at hello@initiateconcept.co

International Data Transfers: If we transfer your data outside the EEA, we will ensure appropriate safeguards are in place.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies: Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help us improve your experience on our website.

Types of Cookies We Use:

Essential Cookies:

  • Required for website functionality
  • Cannot be disabled

Analytics Cookies:

  • Help us understand how visitors use our site
  • Google Analytics (anonymized data)

Functionality Cookies:

  • Remember your preferences
  • Improve user experience

Marketing Cookies:

  • Track conversions and advertising effectiveness
  • May be used if you consent

Managing Cookies: You can control cookies through your browser settings:

  • Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies
  • Firefox: Options > Privacy & Security > Cookies
  • Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies
  • Edge: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies

Note that disabling cookies may affect website functionality.

Do Not Track: We currently do not respond to “Do Not Track” browser signals, but you can manage cookies as described above.

Third-Party Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or integrate with third-party services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties.

Third-Party Services We Use:

HubSpot (Meeting Scheduling & CRM):

Google Analytics:

Hosting Provider:

  • Your website hosting provider privacy policy
  • Used for: Website hosting and security

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party services you interact with.

Children’s Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child under 18, we will take steps to delete that information promptly.

If you believe we have collected information from a child under 18, please contact us at hello@initiateconcept.co.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.

When We Update:

  • We will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy
  • For material changes, we will notify you by:
    • Email (if we have your email address)
    • Prominent notice on our website
    • Other appropriate means

Your Continued Use: Your continued use of our website and services after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated privacy policy.

We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this privacy policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Initiate Concept

Email: hello@initiateconcept.co

Website: https://initiateconcept.co

Response Time: We will respond to privacy inquiries within 30 days.

Governing Law

This privacy policy is governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, United States, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Consent

By using our website and services, you consent to the collection, use, and sharing of your information as described in this privacy policy.