Privacy Policy
Last updated: November 2026
1. Data Controller
The controller responsible for processing personal data on this website is:
Chris Holscher
Ballindamm 39
20095 Hamburg
Germany
Email: hello@ssiaresearch.org
This website presents the State of Startups with Industry Analysts (SSIA), a collaborative research initiative operated online by Chris Holscher.
2. Website Hosting and Technical Data
This website is hosted by Zoho Sites, a service provided by Zoho.
When you visit the website, technical information, including your IP address, browser information, requested pages and access times, may be processed to deliver the website, maintain its security and ensure its technical operation.
The legal basis for processing personal data is Article 6(1)(f) GDPR. Our legitimate interest is the secure and reliable operation of the website.
Technical information is retained only for as long as necessary for these purposes, subject to the hosting provider's applicable retention periods.
3. Cookies and Analytics
We do not use optional website analytics, advertising trackers or marketing cookies.
The website may use technically necessary cookies to support its security and operation. Such cookies do not require consent where they meet the conditions of Section 25(2) of the German Telecommunications Digital Services Data Protection Act (TDDDG).
We do not use cookies to analyse individual visitor behaviour.
4. Email Correspondence
If you contact us by email, we process the information you provide, such as your name, email address and message, to respond to your enquiry and manage subsequent correspondence.
Email communication is handled using Google Workspace, provided by Google.
The legal basis is Article 6(1)(f) GDPR (legitimate interests in responding to enquiries), or Article 6(1)(b) GDPR where correspondence concerns a contract or pre-contractual request.
Information about how long we retain correspondence is provided in Section 7.
5. Research Publications and External Links
Our research reports and other PDF publications are available for direct download without registration.
The website also contains links to external services, including YouTube. Videos are not embedded or automatically loaded from YouTube. When you follow an external link, the destination provider processes data according to its own privacy practices.
6. International Data Transfers
Our website uses Zoho Sites in Zoho's European data-centre region. Email correspondence is handled through Google Workspace.
Although these services operate under European data-protection arrangements, personal data may be accessed or processed outside the European Economic Area (EEA), including by authorised service providers.
Where transfers to countries without an EU adequacy decision occur, the providers state that they apply appropriate safeguards, including the European Commission's Standard Contractual Clauses where applicable.
Further information is available in Zoho's Privacy Policy and Google's Cloud Data Processing Addendum.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, maintain relevant business relationships, or comply with applicable legal obligations.
Email correspondence may be retained for extended periods where it remains relevant to ongoing research, professional relationships, contractual matters or the establishment, exercise or defence of legal claims.
We periodically review retained information and delete personal data when it is no longer required, unless statutory retention obligations apply.
Technical data generated through website visits is retained according to the applicable policies of our hosting provider.
8. Your Data Protection Rights
Under the GDPR, you have the right, subject to applicable legal conditions, to access, correct or erase your personal data, restrict its processing, object to processing, and request data portability.
Where processing is based on consent, you may withdraw that consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of earlier processing.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with a competent data protection supervisory authority, including:
Hamburg Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information (HmbBfDI)
Ludwig-Erhard-Straße 22
20459 Hamburg, Germany
https://datenschutz-hamburg.de
To exercise your rights, contact hello@ssiaresearch.org.
9. Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy when our website, data processing practices or legal requirements change. The current version will always be available on this page.