Cookie Policy | Credit for Startups

This Cookie Policy explains how Credit for Startups (operated by [Legal Entity Name], "we", "us") uses cookies and similar technologies — including pixels, local storage, and session storage — on creditforstartups.com (the "Site"). It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.

1. What cookies are

Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. We also use related technologies that behave like cookies: pixels (small images that log a request), and browser storage (localStorage / sessionStorage). In this policy, "cookies" refers to all of these unless we say otherwise.

2. Categories of cookies we use

Strictly necessary

Required for the Site to function. These do not need your consent under EU/UK law and cannot be switched off.

Consent state — remembers your cookie banner choice so we don't ask again on every page (stored in your browser's localStorage as cfs_cookie_dismissed).
Security and session — used by our server to protect against cross-site request forgery and to keep admin sessions secure (set only when relevant).

Analytics and performance

Help us understand how the Site is used so we can improve it. We load these only after you consent via the cookie banner (or where consent is not legally required in your region).

Google Analytics 4 — first-party cookies (_ga, _ga_*) that measure pageviews, sessions, and events. Provided by Google LLC. Google Privacy Policy. Opt out.
Plausible Analytics — privacy-friendly, cookieless aggregate analytics. No personal data, no cross-site tracking. Provided by Plausible Insights OÜ (EU). Plausible privacy.
Microsoft Clarity — session recordings and heatmaps to help us improve UX. Cookies include _clck, _clsk, CLID, ANONCHK, MR, MUID, SM. Provided by Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft privacy.
Clutch Click attribution — our own first-party tool that records which pages and listings drive outbound clicks to partners. Used to keep the directory free. No personal profile is built.

Marketing and targeting

We do not currently use cookies for advertising, cross-context behavioral advertising, or retargeting. If that changes, we'll update this policy and refresh the consent banner so you can opt in.

3. How long cookies last

Cookies are either "session" (deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent" (kept for a set period). The analytics cookies above typically persist between 24 hours and 24 months depending on the tool — each provider's policy linked above has the exact durations.

4. Managing your choices

You have several ways to control cookies:

The cookie banner on this Site — accept or decline non-essential cookies on first visit. To change your choice later, clear the cfs_cookie_dismissed key from your browser storage (or use the "Manage cookies" link in the footer once available) and the banner will reappear.
Your browser — most browsers let you block or delete cookies in their settings. Blocking strictly necessary cookies may break parts of the Site.
Provider opt-outs — use the opt-out links in section 2 to disable specific tools across the web.
Global Privacy Control (GPC) — we recognize and honor the GPC signal as a "Do Not Sell or Share" request from supported browsers.

5. Do Not Track

Browsers also send a "Do Not Track" (DNT) signal. There is no industry consensus on how DNT should be honored, so we do not respond to it. We do honor Global Privacy Control as described above.

6. International transfers

The cookie providers listed above are based in the US or EU, and your data may be transferred and processed in those regions. Where required by EU/UK law, transfers rely on the EU-US Data Privacy Framework, Standard Contractual Clauses, or equivalent safeguards.

7. Updates

If we change the categories of cookies we use or add new providers, we'll update this page and — for users in jurisdictions where consent is required — re-prompt you via the cookie banner. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page always reflects the latest revision.

8. Contact

Questions about cookies? Email brady@creditforstartups.com.