Last updated: April 27, 2026
1. Introduction
ATNA VentureNetwork (“ATNA Event”, “we”, “us”, “our”), organiser of the Hot Seat Lab founder events, is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store and protect information about you when you visit atnaevent.com, apply for a ticket, attend our events, or communicate with us.
ATNA Event is a member of Frank & the Backs. Our registered address and primary contact for data matters: info@atnaevent.com.
This policy is governed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (EU) 2016/679 and applicable Dutch data protection law.
2. Personal Data We Collect
2.1 Data you provide directly
- Full name and contact details (email address, phone number)
- Professional information (company name, founder stage, role)
- Application and ticket purchase information
- Payment details (processed via our secure payment provider; we do not store card data)
- Messages and enquiries submitted via the contact form
- Feedback and survey responses
2.2 Data collected automatically
- IP address and browser/device type
- Pages visited and time spent on the website (via cookies and analytics tools)
- Referral source (how you found our site)
2.3 Data collected at events
- Wristband role (Startup, Investor, Scale-up, Mentor, Partner)
- Photographs and video recordings made during the event for promotional purposes
- Notes from structured networking sessions (anonymised where possible)
3. Legal Basis for Processing
We process your personal data on the following legal grounds:
- Contract performance – to process your ticket application and provide event access.
- Legitimate interests – to send event updates, curate the participant room, and improve our events.
- Consent – for marketing communications (newsletter, future events). You may withdraw consent at any time.
- Legal obligation – to comply with Dutch tax, financial, and record-keeping requirements.
4. How We Use Your Data
- To review and confirm your event application
- To process ticket purchases and send confirmations
- To organise role-based networking (wristband assignment)
- To send event-related communications (schedule, venue, logistics)
- To provide access to the post-event participant directory (shared only among attendees, with consent)
- To send the post-event video recap and community chat access
- To contact you about future ATNA Events or Frank & the Backs programmes (with consent)
- To comply with legal and accounting obligations
- To improve our website and event experience through analytics
5. Sharing Your Data
We do not sell your personal data. We may share data with:
- Event service providers (venue, catering, AV) – only the information they need to deliver their service, bound by data processing agreements.
- Payment processors – for secure handling of ticket payments.
- Frank & the Backs – as the organising umbrella entity, under the same data protection standards.
- Analytics providers (e.g. Google Analytics) – aggregated/anonymised where possible.
- Authorities – if required by Dutch or EU law.
The post-event participant directory is shared exclusively among verified attendees. Your inclusion is opt-in.
6. Cookies
Our website uses cookies to:
- Enable core website functionality
- Analyse visitor behaviour (Google Analytics)
- Remember your preferences
You may manage or decline cookies via your browser settings. Declining analytics cookies will not affect your ability to use the site. A cookie consent notice is presented on your first visit.
7. Data Retention
We retain personal data only as long as necessary:
- Event participants: up to 3 years after the event for business relationship management.
- Financial/accounting records: 7 years as required by Dutch law.
- Marketing contacts: until you withdraw consent or unsubscribe.
- Website analytics: aggregated data retained for 26 months (Google Analytics default).
When no longer needed, data is securely deleted or anonymised.
8. International Data Transfers
ATNA Event operates within the European Economic Area (EEA). Where any service provider processes data outside the EEA, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place (Standard Contractual Clauses or adequacy decision) in accordance with GDPR Chapter V.
9. Your Rights Under GDPR
As a data subject, you have the right to:
- Access – request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.
- Rectification – ask us to correct inaccurate or incomplete data.
- Erasure – request deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”), subject to legal retention obligations.
- Restriction – ask us to restrict processing in certain circumstances.
- Portability – receive your data in a structured, machine-readable format.
- Object – object to processing based on legitimate interests or for direct marketing purposes.
- Withdraw consent – at any time for consent-based processing (e.g. unsubscribe from emails).
To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@atnaevent.com. We will respond within 30 days.
You also have the right to lodge a complaint with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens): autoriteitpersoonsgegevens.nl.
10. Photography and Video at Events
ATNA Events may be photographed or recorded for promotional purposes. By attending, you acknowledge that images or footage of you may be captured. We will inform you of this on arrival and at registration.
If you do not wish to appear in promotional materials, please notify our team at the event or contact us at info@atnaevent.com within 14 days of the event and we will remove identifiable images where reasonably practicable.
11. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal data against unauthorised access, loss, or disclosure. These include:
- Encrypted storage and transmission (SSL/HTTPS)
- Access controls limiting who can view personal data
- Secure, GDPR-compliant third-party processors
In the event of a data breach that poses a risk to your rights and freedoms, we will notify the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens within 72 hours and inform affected individuals without undue delay.
12. Children’s Privacy
ATNA Events are professional founder events intended for individuals aged 18 and over. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors. If you believe a minor has submitted data to us, please contact info@atnaevent.com.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be published on atnaevent.com with the effective date shown at the top. Material changes will be communicated to registered participants by email.
14. Contact Us
For any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your data:
ATNA Event / ATNA VentureNetwork
Member of Frank & the Backs
Email: info@atnaevent.com
Programme: aleksandra@atnaevent.com
Website: https://atnaevent.com
Location: The Hague, Netherlands