Privacy Policy:
Ignite Platform.
Last updated: 1st April 2026
1. Introduction and Who We Are
Welcome to Ignite. Your privacy is of the utmost importance to us. R Short Holdings LTD (“we”, “us”, “our”) owns and operates the Ignite platform (the “Platform”) and is committed to protecting and respecting your personal data.
This privacy policy explains what personal data we collect, how we use it, and how we keep it safe when you use our Platform. It also tells you about your rights under data protection law.
R Short Holdings Limited is the Data Controller for the personal data processed through the Ignite platform. We are a company registered in the United Kingdom.
Company Number: 11089471
Registered Office: Wellington House, Aviator Court, Clifton Moor, York YO30 4UZ
2. The Personal Data We Collect
We collect, use, and store various types of personal data about you, which we have categorised as follows:
Identity Data: Includes your first name, last name, and username.
Contact Data: Includes your email address, telephone number, and social media handles.
Profile Data: Includes your username, password, interests, preferences, and any feedback or survey responses you provide.
Innovation Data: Includes the business ideas, business plans, commercial information, and related intellectual property you voluntarily submit to the Platform for analysis and support.
Usage Data: Includes information about how you navigate and interact with our Platform, such as the features you use and the time you spend on them.
Technical Data: Includes your Internet Protocol (IP) address, login data, browser type and version, time zone, operating system, and other technical information about the device you use to access the Platform.
Marketing and Communications Data: Includes your preferences for receiving marketing materials from us and your communication preferences.
We do not collect any Special Categories of Personal Data (e.g., race, ethnicity, religious beliefs, health) or data about criminal convictions.
3. How We Collect Your Personal Data
Directly from You: When you create an account, build your profile, submit your Innovation Data, or communicate with us.
From Your Organisation (Our Partner Institution): To create your account and give you access to the Platform, your university, incubator, or employer ("Partner Institution") provides us with your basic Identity and Contact Data.
Automatically: As you use the Platform, we automatically collect Technical and Usage Data using cookies and similar technologies.
4. How and Why We Use Your Personal Data
We only use your personal data when the law allows us to.
| Purpose | Data Used | Lawful Basis |
|---|---|---|
| To register you and manage your account | Identity, Contact, Profile | Performance of a Contract |
| To provide core services and AI feedback | Identity, Contact, Innovation, Profile | Performance of a Contract |
| To share Innovation Data with your Partner Institution | Identity, Contact, Innovation | Performance of a Contract |
| To manage our relationship | Identity, Contact | Performance of a Contract; Legal Obligation |
| To improve our Platform and AI algorithms | Usage, Technical, Innovation (Aggregated) | Legitimate Interests |
| To send marketing communications (where opted-in) | Identity, Contact, Marketing | Consent |
| To comply with legal obligations | Identity, Contact, Technical | Legal Obligation |
5. AI Processing and Sharing with Partner Institutions
A fundamental feature of the Ignite service is the use of AI to analyse your Innovation Data and the sharing of this data with your Partner Institution. By using the Platform, you acknowledge and agree that:
Your Innovation Data will be processed by our proprietary and third-party AI tools to provide feedback and recommendations.
Your Identity, Contact, and Innovation Data will be made accessible to designated staff at your Partner Institution to help them provide you with effective support and opportunities.
6. Automated Decision-Making
While our AI tools analyse your data to provide insights, they do not make automated decisions about you that would have a legal or significant impact. Key opportunities and support decisions involve human oversight from staff at your Partner Institution or our team.
7. Data Sharing and Disclosures
We may share your personal data with:
Your Partner Institution: To facilitate the support services central to the Ignite platform.
Service Providers: Third-party companies (cloud hosting, AI analytics) acting as Data Processors.
Professional Advisers: Lawyers, bankers, auditors, and insurers.
Regulatory Authorities: HM Revenue & Customs, the ICO, etc.
8. International Transfers
We primarily store data within the UK. If we transfer data outside the UK, we ensure it receives a similar level of protection by using UK-approved Standard Contractual Clauses or transferring to countries with “adequacy” status.
9. Data Retention
We retain your data only as long as necessary. Account Data is kept while your account is active. Post-Closure, we may retain information for up to 6 years for tax/legal purposes.
10. Your Legal Rights
Under UK law, you have the right to:
Access your data.
Rectify inaccurate data.
Erasure ("Right to be forgotten").
Object to or Restrict processing.
Data Portability.
To exercise these rights, contact our Data Protection Officer (DPO) at info@ignite.new. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk.
11. Cookies and Tracking
We use strictly necessary, analytical, and functionality cookies. You can manage your preferences via your browser settings, though blocking essential cookies may impact Platform functionality.
12. Contact Us
For any questions regarding this policy or our privacy practices:
Email: info@ignite.new
Postal Address: Data Protection Officer, R. Short Holdings LTD, Wellington House, Aviator Court, Clifton Moor, York YO30 4UZ