Privacy policy

Effective date: 3.6.2026

mercs ("we", "us", "our") operates hiremercs.com and runs a curated recruitment and co-founder matching service. This policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, who we share it with, and your rights under the GDPR.

Information we collect

We collect information you give us directly when you submit a form, contact us, or apply through one of our ads. This includes:

  • name

  • email address

  • LinkedIn URL

  • what you're looking for (a job, a co-founder, or both)

  • any additional details you choose to share with us

When you interact with us through Meta (Instagram or Facebook) ads, Meta also passes us limited information from your profile that you've authorized them to share, including your name and email.

We also automatically collect basic technical information when you visit our website, including your IP address, browser type, and pages visited, via standard cookies and analytics from our website host (Squarespace).

How we use your information

We use your information to:

  • contact you about startup roles, co-founder opportunities, or other matches we believe are relevant

  • share your profile with hiring companies or co-founder candidates, only with your explicit consent for each introduction

  • add you to our candidate and founder pool for future opportunities

  • send occasional emails about new openings or relevant updates (you can opt out anytime)

  • analyze and improve our matching service, ads, and platform

  • protect our service from fraud and abuse

We do not sell your data.

Legal basis (GDPR)

We process your data on two bases:

  • Consent. You give consent when you submit our form or apply through one of our ads. You can withdraw consent at any time by emailing dispatch@hiremercs.com.

  • Legitimate interest. Operating our recruitment service, connecting talent with hiring companies and co-founders, and improving our offering. This use is necessary to deliver the service you've engaged us for and is fair and proportionate.

Who we share information with

We share information with the following categories of third parties:

  • Hiring companies — startups we make introductions to, only with your explicit consent for each introduction

  • Co-founder candidates — other mercs users we introduce to you, only with your explicit consent for each introduction

  • Advertising and social platforms — Meta (Instagram and Facebook) for running ads and retargeting

  • Website hosting — Squarespace, which hosts hiremercs.com

  • Communication providers — our email service used to manage dispatch@hiremercs.com

  • AI platforms — we may use AI tools (such as Anthropic Claude or OpenAI) on enterprise tiers that do not train on customer data, to help us analyze candidate fit and draft communications

Each of these providers has data processing agreements in place that comply with the GDPR.

International data transfers

Some of our third-party providers (including Meta and AI platforms) are based outside the EU. We rely on Standard Contractual Clauses or equivalent safeguards approved by the European Commission to ensure your data is protected when transferred.

Data retention

We keep your information for as long as you remain in our pool. If you ask to be removed, we delete your data within 30 days, except where we are legally required to retain it.

Your rights

Under the GDPR, you have the right to:

  • access the information we hold about you

  • correct inaccurate information

  • delete your data

  • export your data

  • restrict or object to how we use your data

  • withdraw consent at any time

To exercise any of these rights, email hq@hiremercs.com. We respond within 30 days.

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Finnish Data Protection Ombudsman (tietosuoja.fi).

Cookies

Our website uses essential cookies for basic site function and analytics cookies via Squarespace to understand how visitors use the site. By using our site, you consent to our use of cookies.

Children

mercs is not intended for users under 18. We do not knowingly collect information from anyone under 18.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "effective date" at the top reflects the latest version. We will notify users of material changes by notice on the website.

Contact

For any questions or requests, contact: hq@hiremercs.com