Data Protection Information of Circular Valley Stiftung
Status: December 2025
1. General Information on Data Protection
2. Contact Details
3. Purposes and Legal Basis
4. Cookies and Website Technologies
5. Special Applications (Events, Newsletter, FairUp)
6. Candidate Management
7. Your rights as a data subject
1. General Information on Data Protection
This data protection information explains how personal data is handled, in particular how it is used, stored and protected, as well as the rights to which data subjects are entitled. Personal data is protected in our systems in accordance with internationally applicable data protection standards, the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/679, GDPR) and national data protection regulations.
Personal data will only be used for the purposes stated in this data protection information. Whenever content is requested from our website, personal data (e.g. name of the requested file, date/time, amount of data transferred, IP address) about this process is stored in a log file. We do not combine this information with data about individual users without their prior express consent.
2. Contact Details
2.1 Name of controller
Circular Valley Stiftung
2.2 Management (Board of Directors)
Dr. Carsten Gerhardt
Jochen Jehmlich
2.3 Contact details of controller
Address: Friesenstraße 32a, 42107 Wuppertal, Germany
Telephone: +49 202 2562368
E-Mail: info@circular-valley.org
Internet: https://circular-valley.org
3. Purposes and Legal Basis
3.1 Purpose of data collection and processing
The purpose of Circular Valley Stiftung is to promote the circular economy, to organize events, workshops, and conferences, and to support startups and partners in the network. To fulfill this purpose, we process personal data of website visitors, event participants, newsletter subscribers, partners, and applicants. The data processing is based either on consent (e.g. Article 6, Sec. 1 lit. (a) GDPR), on the performance of a contract/participation agreement (Article 6, Sec. 1 lit. (b) GDPR), or on the basis of legitimate interests (Article 6, Sec. 1 lit. (f) GDPR) for the organization of our events and business operations.
3.2 Description of data categories
- Website Visitors: IP address, browser info, usage data.
- Event Participants / Exhibitors: Name, contact details, company/institution, position, billing data.
- Newsletter Subscribers: E-Mail address, name (optional).
- Partners/Startups: Contact person details, business communication data.
3.3 Recipients of data
- Internal: Departments of Circular Valley Stiftung.
- Processors: Service providers for IT, hosting, and event management (e.g. FairUp, see Section 5.2). We have concluded Data Processing Agreements (DPA) with these providers pursuant to Art. 28 GDPR.
- Public bodies: In the case of overriding legal provisions.
3.4 Data transmission abroad
We primarily process data within the EU. If we use service providers in third countries (e.g. for video conferencing tools), we ensure that an adequate level of data protection is guaranteed (e.g. through EU Standard Contractual Clauses).
3.5 Criteria for data deletion
In principle, all personal data are deleted as soon as they are no longer necessary for the purposes for which they were collected. Deletion shall also take place if the data subject withdraws consent or objects to processing, provided there are no statutory retention obligations (e.g. tax laws) preventing deletion.
4. Cookies and Website Technologies
4.1 General information
We use cookies. Cookies are small files that are sent by us to the browser of your terminal device when you visit our website and are stored there.
4.2 Essential and Functional Cookies
Some cookies are mandatory for the use of our websites (Essential). Functional cookies help us to improve the performance of the website.
4.3 Consent Management
We use a Consent Management Tool to obtain and document your consent to the storage of cookies. You can view and change your settings at any time via the cookie settings footer on our website.
5. Special Applications
5.1 Electronic newsletter
We offer electronic newsletters. For this purpose, we collect the e-mail addresses of users who voluntarily register. The legal basis is Article 6, Sec. 1 lit. (a) GDPR. We use the double opt-in procedure. Users can revoke their consent at any time via the unsubscribe link in every newsletter or by sending an e-mail to info@circular-valley.org.
5.2 Event and Exhibitor Registration (via FairUp)
For the registration of participants and exhibitors for our events (e.g. Circular Valley Forum), we use the software solution “FairUp”. The provider is FairUp UG (haftungsbeschränkt), Heinz-Fangman-Straße 2-6, 42287 Wuppertal, Germany.
When you register for an event or apply as an exhibitor, the data you enter (e.g. name, e-mail, company, position) is transmitted to FairUp servers and processed on our behalf. This serves the purpose of contract processing (Article 6 (1) (b) GDPR) and efficient event organization (Article 6 (1) (f) GDPR). We have concluded a Data Processing Agreement (AVV) with the provider to ensure the protection of your data. Further information can be found in FairUp’s privacy policy at: https://www.fairup.dev/de/datenschutz
5.3 Contact Forms and Communication
If you contact us via e-mail or contact form, the data provided will be stored for the purpose of processing the request.
5.4 Video Conferences / Web Sessions
For webinars and online meetings, we may use software providers (e.g. Zoom, Microsoft Teams). Registration implies processing of your name and e-mail address by the provider.
6. Candidate Management / Startup Applications
6.1 Application Procedure
Upon receipt of an application (job application or accelerator program application), the personal data provided will be processed for recruitment and selection purposes. The data is accessible only to relevant employees (HR, Management, Jury). The legal basis is Art. 6 para. 1 lit. b GDPR (pre-contractual measures). If no relationship is established, the data will be deleted after six months, unless consent for longer storage is given.
7. Your rights as a data subject
7.1 Right to information / deletion / restriction
You have the right to request information about your personal data processed by us. Furthermore, you may request rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, and data portability.
7.2 Right of appeal
You have the right to lodge a complaint with a competent supervisory authority (e.g. Landesbeauftragte für Datenschutz und Informationsfreiheit Nordrhein-Westfalen).
7.3 Right of objection
If you no longer wish your data to be used for specific purposes based on legitimate interest, you can object to any further use of your data by contacting us at info@circular-valley.org.
