Privacy Policy
Last updated: 12 August 2026
1. Introduction
This Privacy Policy explains how Startup Strategist, operated by Craig Parsons (referred to as “Startup Strategist”, “My AI Challenge”, “we”, “us” or “our”), collects, uses, stores and protects personal information when you visit MyChallenge.co.za, join My AI Challenge, request a resource, apply for an AI Opportunity Audit, communicate with us or purchase a product or service.
We respect your privacy and aim to process personal information fairly, transparently and securely. Where applicable, we follow the UK General Data Protection Regulation (“UK GDPR”), the Data Protection Act 2018, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (“PECR”) and South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”).
2. Who is responsible for your information?
The person responsible for processing personal information through this website is:
Startup Strategist, operated by Craig Parsons
Email: [email protected]
Postal address: 208 Woodhorn Road, Ashington, NE63 9EW, United Kingdom
For POPIA purposes, Startup Strategist is the responsible party. For UK data-protection purposes, Startup Strategist is the data controller.
3. Information we may collect
Depending on how you use the website, we may collect:
your first and last name;
email address and, where voluntarily provided, telephone number;
business name, industry and business information;
answers supplied through forms, surveys, scorecards or audit applications;
messages, enquiries and correspondence;
records of consent, subscriptions and unsubscribe requests;
transaction and purchase information if paid products or services are introduced;
appointment and service-delivery information;
technical information such as your IP address, browser, device, referring page and basic website-usage data;
cookies and similar technology information, subject to your choices and applicable law.
Please do not submit confidential client information, passwords, financial account information, health information or other sensitive personal information through a general website form unless we have specifically requested it and provided a secure method.
4. How we collect information
We may collect information:
directly from you when you complete a form, join the challenge, download a resource, apply for an audit, book a meeting, purchase something or contact us;
automatically through necessary website technology, cookies and similar tools;
from service providers that help us host the website, manage contacts, deliver emails, process payments or provide services;
from public business sources or professional networks where lawful and relevant to a genuine business enquiry.
5. Why we use your information
We may use personal information to:
provide the website and requested resources;
register you for My AI Challenge;
respond to questions and applications;
assess suitability for an AI Opportunity Audit or other service;
arrange and deliver consultations, products, programmes or services;
send service messages and information you have requested;
send educational updates or marketing where you have consented or another lawful basis applies;
administer purchases, payments, refunds and records;
improve our content, services, forms and customer experience;
protect the website, prevent misuse and maintain security;
comply with tax, accounting, legal and regulatory obligations;
establish, exercise or defend legal claims.
6. Lawful bases
Depending on the circumstances, we rely on one or more of the following lawful bases:
Consent: For example, when you choose to receive challenge updates or marketing emails.
Contract: When processing is necessary to provide something you requested or to take steps before entering into an agreement.
Legitimate interests: Where reasonably necessary to operate, improve and protect the business, respond to business enquiries or maintain appropriate records, provided your rights do not override those interests.
Legal obligation: Where information must be retained or disclosed to meet legal, tax, accounting or regulatory duties.
Where consent is the basis, you may withdraw it at any time. Withdrawal does not affect processing that was lawful before withdrawal.
7. Email updates and marketing
We will send My AI Challenge updates or promotional emails to individuals only where we have valid consent or another lawful permission. Every marketing email will include a straightforward way to unsubscribe.
You can unsubscribe at any time by using the link in an email or contacting [email protected]. We may retain a minimal suppression record to ensure that we respect your request and do not add you back to marketing unintentionally.
We do not currently intend to send marketing text messages. If SMS marketing is introduced, we will obtain the consent required by applicable law.
8. Cookies and similar technologies
The website may use essential cookies required for security, forms, page functionality and user preferences. We may also use analytics, advertising or tracking technologies if enabled.
Where the law requires consent, non-essential cookies will not be placed until you have made a choice through the cookie banner or settings tool. You can change your browser settings or cookie preferences, although blocking essential cookies may affect website operation.
Details of active cookies should be kept up to date in the website’s cookie banner or a separate Cookie Notice.
9. Who we share information with
We may share information only where reasonably necessary with trusted service providers, including providers of:
website hosting, CRM, forms, automations and email delivery, including the Mastermind Business HUB and its technology providers;
cloud storage, communications and appointment scheduling;
payment processing and accounting;
professional legal, accounting, technology or security support;
analytics and website-performance services, where enabled;
public authorities, regulators or law-enforcement bodies when required by law.
These providers may process information only for the relevant service or as otherwise lawfully permitted. We do not sell or rent personal information.
10. International transfers
Because we operate online and use international technology providers, personal information may be processed in the United Kingdom, South Africa, the United States or other countries.
Where required, we use appropriate contractual, legal or organisational safeguards for international transfers.
11. How long we keep information
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, including legal, tax, accounting, dispute and security requirements.
As a general guide:
challenge and marketing records are kept until you unsubscribe or the information is no longer required;
enquiries and unsuccessful applications are normally reviewed for deletion within 24 months;
customer, contractual and transaction records may be retained for up to seven years after the relationship ends where required for legal, tax or accounting purposes;
suppression records may be retained to respect unsubscribe or objection requests.
We may anonymise information so that it can no longer identify you and use the anonymised information for research, learning and business analysis.
12. Security
We use reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal information against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration or disclosure.
No internet service is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
If we become aware of a reportable personal-data breach, we will take appropriate action and notify affected individuals and regulators where required.
13. Your rights
Depending on the law that applies, you may have the right to:
be informed about how your information is used;
request access to personal information we hold about you;
ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete information;
ask for deletion where there is no lawful reason to retain information;
restrict or object to certain processing;
object at any time to direct marketing;
withdraw consent;
request the transfer of certain information in a portable format;
complain to the relevant supervisory authority;
ask for information about automated decision-making, where applicable.
To exercise a right, email [email protected]. We may request reasonable proof of identity. Some rights are subject to legal exceptions.
UK residents may complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office at https://ico.org.uk.
South African residents may complain to the Information Regulator at https://inforegulator.org.za.
We would appreciate the opportunity to address your concern before you approach a regulator.
14. Children
My AI Challenge is intended for business owners and adults aged 18 or over. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
If you believe a child has submitted information, please contact us so that we can investigate and delete it where appropriate.
15. Third-party links
The website may link to third-party websites, social networks or services. We do not control their privacy practices.
Please review the privacy policy of any third party before providing information.
16. Changes to this policy
We may update this Privacy Policy as the website, services or legal requirements change.
The current version and effective date will be published on this page. Material changes may also be communicated by email or a prominent website notice where appropriate.
17. Contact us
For privacy questions, requests or complaints, contact:
Craig Parsons — Startup Strategist / My AI Challenge
Email: [email protected]
Postal address: 208 Woodhorn Road, Ashington, NE63 9EW, United Kingdom