FundingSearch.com — The Intelligent Funding Search Platform

Last Updated: December 2025	Version: 1.0
Website: www.fundingsearch.com	ICO Registration: ZB830840

1. Introduction

Welcome to FundingSearch.com. We are committed to protecting your privacy and being transparent about how we collect, use, and share your personal information. This Privacy & Cookie Policy explains our practices when you visit our website, use our platform, or interact with our services.

By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this policy. If you do not agree with our practices, please do not use our website or services.

2. Who We Are

FundingSearch.com is operated by:

In.Spiritu Ltd

Trading as FundingSearch.com

Company Number: 16130699

ICO Registration Number: ZB830840

Registered Office:

Cooper Buildings

Arundel Street

Sheffield S1 2NS

United Kingdom

We are the "data controller" for the personal information we collect and process through our website and platform. This means we are responsible for deciding how we hold and use personal information about you.

3. Information We Collect

We collect different types of information depending on how you interact with us:

3.1 Information You Provide Directly

Account information: Name, email address, telephone number, company name, and password when you register for an account
Business information: Company registration number, trading address, business type, director details, and financial information when you submit a funding application
Professional credentials: FCA registration details, professional qualifications, and business certifications (for brokers)
Communication data: Messages you send us through our contact forms, email, or support channels
Payment information: Billing address and payment card details for subscription services (processed securely by our payment provider)

3.2 Information We Collect Automatically

When you visit our website, we automatically collect:

Technical data: IP address, browser type and version, operating system, device type, screen resolution, and time zone
Usage data: Pages visited, links clicked, time spent on pages, search queries, and navigation paths
Location data: General geographic location based on IP address
Referral data: How you arrived at our website (search engine, link, direct visit)

3.3 Information from Third Parties

With your consent, we may receive information from:

Accounting platforms: Financial data from Xero or Sage when you connect your account
Credit reference agencies: Business credit scores and reports from Creditsafe
Companies House: Company registration details, director information, and filing history

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for the following purposes:

4.1 To Provide Our Services

Creating and managing your account
Matching borrowers with suitable lenders
Processing funding applications
Generating professional documents (quotations, suitability letters, terms and conditions)
Processing subscription payments

4.2 To Communicate With You

Responding to your enquiries and support requests
Sending service-related notifications (application updates, system alerts)
Sending marketing communications (where you have opted in)

4.3 To Improve Our Services

Analysing website usage to improve user experience
Developing new features and services
Training and improving our matching algorithms

4.4 For Security and Compliance

Detecting and preventing fraud
Maintaining audit logs for regulatory compliance
Complying with legal obligations

5. Legal Basis for Processing

Under UK data protection law, we must have a valid legal basis to process your personal information:

Legal Basis	When We Use It
Contract	To provide our services, manage your account, and process your applications
Consent	For marketing emails, non-essential cookies, and accessing third-party data (Xero, credit checks)
Legitimate Interests	To improve our services, ensure security, prevent fraud, and for business analytics
Legal Obligation	To comply with anti-money laundering laws, tax requirements, and regulatory reporting

6. Cookie Policy

6.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device when you visit our website. They help us recognise your device and remember your preferences, making your experience smoother and more personalised.

6.2 Types of Cookies We Use

We use the following categories of cookies:

Category	Purpose	Examples	Consent Required
Strictly Necessary	Essential for website functionality and security	Session cookies, authentication, CSRF protection, load balancing	No - these are essential
Analytics	Help us understand how visitors use our website	Google Analytics, page view tracking, performance monitoring	Yes
Functional	Remember your preferences and choices	Language preferences, display settings, form auto-fill	Yes
Marketing	Track visitors to show relevant ads	Advertising cookies, remarketing pixels, conversion tracking	Yes

6.3 Specific Cookies We Use

Below is a detailed list of cookies used on our website:

Cookie Name	Duration	Type	Purpose
fs_session	Session	Strictly Necessary	Maintains your logged-in session
fs_csrf	Session	Strictly Necessary	Security token to prevent cross-site request forgery
fs_consent	1 year	Strictly Necessary	Stores your cookie consent preferences
_ga	2 years	Analytics	Google Analytics - distinguishes unique visitors
_ga_*	2 years	Analytics	Google Analytics 4 - maintains session state
_gid	24 hours	Analytics	Google Analytics - identifies user session
fs_preferences	1 year	Functional	Stores display and interface preferences

6.4 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies in several ways:

Our Cookie Consent Tool

When you first visit our website, you will see a cookie banner that allows you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You can change your preferences at any time by clicking the "Cookie Settings" link in the footer of our website.

Browser Settings

Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete existing cookies. The methods vary by browser:

Chrome: Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies
Firefox: Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies
Safari: Preferences > Privacy > Cookies
Edge: Settings > Cookies and site permissions

Please note: Blocking essential cookies may prevent our website from functioning correctly.

6.5 Other Tracking Technologies

In addition to cookies, we may use:

Web beacons: Small graphics that track email opens and website visits
Local storage: Browser storage for caching and performance
Session storage: Temporary data storage cleared when you close your browser

7. Who We Share Your Information With

We may share your personal information with:

7.1 Platform Participants

Lenders: When you submit a funding application, your business and financial information is shared with matched lenders to facilitate funding decisions
Brokers: If you work with a broker through our platform, they will have access to your application information

7.2 Service Providers

We work with trusted third parties who provide services on our behalf:

Supabase: Database hosting and infrastructure
Xero/Sage: Accounting data integration (with your consent)
Creditsafe: Credit reference services (with your consent)
Airwallex: Payment processing
Google Analytics: Website analytics

All service providers are contractually required to protect your data and only use it for the purposes we specify.

7.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or in response to legal requests from courts, regulators, or law enforcement.

7.4 Business Transfers

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

8. How We Keep Your Information Safe

We take the security of your personal information seriously and implement appropriate measures to protect it:

Encryption: All data transmitted to and from our website is encrypted using TLS 1.3. Data at rest is encrypted using AES-256
Secure authentication: We use OAuth 2.0 for third-party integrations and support multi-factor authentication
Access controls: We limit access to personal data to authorised personnel on a need-to-know basis
Regular security testing: We conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing
Incident response: We have procedures in place to detect, report, and respond to data breaches

While we implement strong security measures, no system is completely secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords and keep your login details confidential.

9. How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary:

Data Type	Retention Period	Reason
Active account data	While account active	Service provision
Completed applications	6 years	Regulatory requirements
Financial records	7 years	HMRC requirements
Closed/inactive accounts	3 years	Limitation period
Website analytics	26 months	Analytics purposes
Marketing preferences	Until withdrawn	Your consent

10. Your Rights

Under UK data protection law (UK GDPR), you have the following rights:

Right to access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
Right to rectification: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
Right to erasure: Request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances
Right to restrict processing: Request that we limit how we use your information
Right to data portability: Receive your data in a portable format
Right to object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests or for marketing
Right to withdraw consent: Withdraw consent at any time where we rely on consent to process your data
Rights related to automated decisions: Request human review of automated decisions that significantly affect you

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@fundingsearch.com. We will respond within one month.

11. International Data Transfers

Your personal information may be transferred to countries outside the UK. When this happens, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place, including:

Transfers to countries with UK adequacy decisions
International Data Transfer Agreements (UK Addendum to EU Standard Contractual Clauses)
Binding corporate rules where applicable

12. Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not intended for individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have collected data from a child, we will delete it promptly.

13. Links to Other Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any website you visit.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. We will notify you of significant changes by posting a notice on our website or sending you an email. The "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy indicates when it was last revised.

15. How to Contact Us

If you have any questions about this policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

In.Spiritu Ltd

Trading as FundingSearch.com

Company Number: 16130699

Registered Office:

Cooper Buildings

Arundel Street

Sheffield S1 2NS

United Kingdom

Email: privacy@fundingsearch.com

Website: www.fundingsearch.com

16. Complaints

If you are unhappy with how we have handled your personal information, please contact us first so we can try to resolve the issue.

You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):

Information Commissioner's Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire SK9 5AF

Telephone: 0303 123 1113

Website: www.ico.org.uk

— End of Policy —