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Is starthubs.co a Scam? Security Check Results - Battle of Concepts

starthubs.co Security Report Summary

starthubs.co received a security score of 52 out of 100 in Guard's comprehensive security analysis, classified as "Elevated Risk". This report covers Battle of Concepts's website security posture. Battle of Concepts operates in the Technology industry in Netherlands.

Starthubs is a Netherlands-based open innovation platform operated by Battle of Concepts, specializing in challenge-based innovation connecting large organizations with startups and SMEs. The platform hosts over 600 challenges and a community of 40,000+ innovators, focusing on sectors such as energy, transportation, government, and other domains. The website is professionally designed with good navigation and mobile optimization, leveraging modern technologies including Google reCAPTCHA for security. However, it lacks visible privacy and cookie policies, which impacts privacy compliance scores. The domain registration is consistent and trustworthy, supporting the legitimacy of the business.

The security scan identified 30 findings across security headers, SSL/TLS, DNS health, email security, GDPR compliance, and NIS2 compliance analysis modules.

Technologies detected: Google reCAPTCHA v2 and v3, Froala Editor CSS, FontAwesome fonts, Swiper.js slider.

About this security scan

Guard performs automated security assessments of websites by analyzing SSL/TLS certificates, HTTP security headers, DNS configuration, email authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), GDPR compliance indicators, NIS2 directive compliance, network exposure, and AI-powered business intelligence. Each report provides domain-specific findings, risk scores, and actionable recommendations.

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Is starthubs.co Safe? Security Analysis for Battle of Concepts

https://starthubs.co

Check if starthubs.co is a scam or legitimate. Free security scan and reviews.

TechnologyNetherlandsmedium
Google reCAPTCHA v2 and v3Froala Editor CSSFontAwesome fontsSwiper.js slider
Analyzed 6/25/2025Completed 9:29:07 AM9mo ago
52
Security Score
MEDIUM RISK

Below Technology avg (72)

10,000+

Domains scanned

500+

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SEQ SIA

Lastadijas 12 k-3, Riga, Latvia, LV-1050

Reg. No. 40203410806 • VAT LV40203410806

Support: guard@offseq.com+371 2256 5353

AI Summary

Starthubs is a Netherlands-based open innovation platform operated by Battle of Concepts, specializing in challenge-based innovation connecting large organizations with startups and SMEs. The platform hosts over 600 challenges and a community of 40,000+ innovators, focusing on sectors such as energy, transportation, government, and other domains. The website is professionally designed with good navigation and mobile optimization, leveraging modern technologies including Google reCAPTCHA for security. However, it lacks visible privacy and cookie policies, which impacts privacy compliance scores. The domain registration is consistent and trustworthy, supporting the legitimacy of the business.

Detected Technologies

Google reCAPTCHA v2 and v3Froala Editor CSSFontAwesome fontsSwiper.js slider

10 urgent findings need attention

1 critical · 9 high

  • + 2 more findings in the full report below
Continuous monitoring

Keep starthubs.co under constant watch

Guard tracks your live infrastructure daily: certificate expiry, DNS & mail authentication drift, uptime changes, subdomain inventory, and unexpected tracker or content shifts. A full timeline captures every diff so you can prove remediation and spot regressions instantly.

Security drift alerts

Risk score drops, new high-severity issues, and header hardening gaps

Compliance watch

GDPR / NIS2 posture changes with governance evidence snapshots

Infrastructure surface

Unexpected open services, SSL expiry, DNS & email authentication changes

Content & tracker intelligence

Marketing tech shifts, analytics drift, and AI recommendation updates

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Security Headers

4 findings

60/100

GDPR Compliance

4 findings

53/100

NIS2 Compliance

9 findings

2/100

Email Security

4 findings

75/100

🧠AI Business Intelligence

Technology stack, business insights, and market analysis powered by AI.

Business Intelligence

Market & Strategic Analysis

Starthubs holds a strong market position as the leading open innovation platform in the Netherlands, offering multiple challenge types and supporting a broad range of sectors. Its business model revolves around facilitating innovation by connecting problem owners with solution providers through structured challenges. The platform's extensive community and track record of successful challenges provide competitive advantages. Partnerships with organizations like Sportinnovator and Startup in Residence enhance its ecosystem. The company was founded in 2017 and operates with a medium-sized business profile.

Security Posture Analysis

Comprehensive Security Assessment

The website enforces HTTPS and integrates Google reCAPTCHA to mitigate bot and spam risks. However, it lacks advanced security headers and DNSSEC is not enabled, which could improve domain security. No exposed sensitive data or vulnerable libraries were detected. The absence of published security policies and incident response contacts indicates room for improvement in security governance and transparency. Overall, the security posture is moderate but could be enhanced with additional best practices and documentation.

Strategic Recommendations

Priority Actions for Security Improvement

1

Publish comprehensive privacy and cookie policies to improve GDPR compliance and user trust.

Observations

AI-powered comprehensive website and business analysis.

AI-Enhanced Website Analysis

Business Insights

Company:

Battle of Concepts

Description:

Open innovatieplatform waar startups en mkb's nieuwe business vinden door de innovatie challenges van grote organisaties op te lossen.

Key Services:
Challenge softwareInnovatiehubsBusiness challengesStartup challengesIdeation challengesInnovation challengesMarktconsultaties
Content Quality:

good

Branding:

consistent

Technical Stack

Technologies:
Google reCAPTCHA v2 and v3Froala Editor CSSFontAwesome fontsSwiper.js slider
Performance:

moderate

Mobile:

good

Accessibility:

basic

SEO:

good

Security Assessment

Security Score:
75/100
Best Practices:
  • Use of HTTPS
  • Google reCAPTCHA integration for forms

Analytics & Tracking

Tracking Level:minimal
Privacy Compliance:poor

Advertising & Marketing

Tracking Pixels:
Google reCAPTCHA
Transparency Level:basic

Website Quality Assessment

Design Quality:good
User Experience:good
Content Relevance:good
Navigation Clarity:good
Professionalism:good
Trustworthiness:high

Key Observations

1

Website is fully accessible with rich content

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🛡️Security Headers

HTTP security headers analysis and recommendations.

Security Headers

HTTP security headers analysis

60/100
Score

Weak X-Frame-Options configuration

LOW

Current value: "SAMEORIGIN, SAMEORIGIN"

Missing Content-Security-Policy header

HIGH

Controls resources the browser is allowed to load

Missing X-XSS-Protection header

MEDIUM

Legacy XSS protection (deprecated but still recommended)

Missing Permissions-Policy header

MEDIUM

Controls browser features and APIs

👤GDPR Compliance

Privacy and data protection assessment under GDPR regulations.

GDPR Compliance

Privacy and data protection assessment

53/100
Score

No Cookie Policy found

HIGH

GDPR requires clear information about cookie usage

No Cookie Consent Banner found

HIGH

GDPR requires explicit consent for non-essential cookies

No Data Protection Officer mentioned

LOW

Large organizations may need to designate a DPO under GDPR

Privacy policy may not be GDPR compliant

MEDIUM

Privacy policy lacks explicit GDPR compliance elements

GDPR Compliance Analysis

Privacy Policy85% confidence
Cookie Policy0% confidence
Contact Information Found90% confidence
emailphone

🛡️NIS2 Compliance

Network & Information Security Directive compliance assessment.

NIS2 Compliance

Network & Information Security Directive

2/100
Score

No information security framework found

HIGH

NIS2 requires documented cybersecurity and information security measures

No vulnerability disclosure policy

MEDIUM

NIS2 encourages coordinated vulnerability disclosure

No security policy documentation found

HIGH

NIS2 requires documented cybersecurity governance and risk management

No incident response procedures found

HIGH

NIS2 requires documented incident response and business continuity plans

No business continuity planning found

MEDIUM

NIS2 emphasizes operational resilience and business continuity

No security contact information

HIGH

NIS2 requires clear incident reporting channels

No vulnerability reporting mechanism

MEDIUM

Clear vulnerability reporting supports coordinated disclosure

No NIS2 reference found

LOW

Consider explicitly mentioning NIS2 compliance efforts

Critical sector without clear security compliance

HIGH

Detected sectors: transport, digital

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📧Email Security

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC validation and email security assessment.

Email Security

SPF, DKIM, and DMARC validation

75/100
Score

DMARC not enforcing

MEDIUM

DMARC policy is set to "none"

No BIMI Record

LOW

BIMI displays brand logos in email clients

No MTA-STS Policy

MEDIUM

MTA-STS enforces TLS for email delivery

No TLS-RPT Record

LOW

TLS-RPT provides reporting for email TLS issues

SPF
Sender Policy Framework
DKIM
DomainKeys Identified Mail
DMARC
Domain-based Message Authentication
MX Records
Mail Exchange Records
BIMI
Brand Indicators
MTA-STS
Mail Transfer Agent Security
TLS-RPT
TLS Reporting
DNSSEC
DNS Security
SPF Details
Record:
v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:_spf.createsend.com include:spf.mandrillapp.com include:spf.sendinblue.com -all
DNS Lookups:4/10
Policy:-all
DKIM Selectors Found
Selector:mail(1296-bit rsa)
DMARC Details
Policy:none
Subdomain Policy:none
Aggregate Reports:dmarc@mailinblue.com!10m
Forensic Reports:dmarc@mailinblue.com!10m

🏆SSL/TLS Security

Certificate validity and encryption analysis.

SSL/TLS Security

Certificate validity and encryption analysis

72/100
Score

Weak Protocols Supported

HIGH

Server supports weak protocols: TLSv1.1

OCSP Stapling Not Enabled

LOW

OCSP stapling improves performance and privacy

Certificate Transparency Not Implemented

LOW

Certificate is not logged in Certificate Transparency logs

SSL Certificate Expires Within 90 Days

MEDIUM

SSL certificate expires in 49 days

Protocol Support

TLSv1.3TLSv1.2TLSv1.1

OCSP Status

OCSP Stapling Disabled

📊DNS Health

DNS configuration and security assessment.

DNS Health

DNS configuration and security assessment

75/100
Score

DNSSEC Not Enabled

MEDIUM

DNSSEC is not configured for this domain

CAA Records Not Configured

LOW

Certificate Authority Authorization (CAA) records not found

Domain Delete Lock Not Enabled

LOW

Domain can be deleted without additional verification

DMARC Policy Set to None

LOW

DMARC is configured but not enforcing any policy

Domain Registration Details

Domain Age
8 years(mature)
Expiry Risk
low(60 days)
Protection Level
basicDNSSEC OFF

DNS Records

A Records:145.131.5.74
Name Servers:
ns3.firstfind.nl
ns4.firstfind.nl
ns5.firstfind.net
MX Records:
0: starthubs-co.mail.protection.outlook.com
10: server58.firstfind.nl
SOA:Serial: 2025061901, TTL: 14400s

DNSSEC Status

DNSSEC Not Enabled

DNS Performance

Resolution Time:37ms

SPF Analysis

SPF Record:
v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:_spf.createsend.com include:spf.mandrillapp.com include:spf.sendinblue.com -all

Network Security

Port scanning and network exposure analysis.

Network Security

Port scanning and network exposure analysis

0/100
Score

Critical Service Exposed: RDP

CRITICAL

Port 3389 (RDP) is publicly accessible - RDP - Remote Desktop, prime ransomware target

How does starthubs.co compare?

See how starthubs.co stacks up against similar websites in the same industry.

🔧Technical Analysis

Detailed technical findings and analysis from AI assessment.

Technical Analysis

Comprehensive security assessment findings

Additional Findings

The website uses a modern tech stack including Google reCAPTCHA v2 and v3, Froala Editor CSS, FontAwesome fonts, and Swiper.js for sliders. The site is mobile optimized with responsive images and good navigation clarity. Hosting details are not explicitly disclosed but DNS servers indicate a Dutch hosting provider. Performance is moderate with asynchronous script loading. The site lacks explicit CMS identification, suggesting a custom or proprietary solution. SEO meta tags and Open Graph tags are well implemented, supporting good search engine visibility.
Professional PDF & Marketing Data

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PDF Report & Export

PDF download, email delivery, unlock code

39.90 €one-time • Incl. 21% VAT

Marketing Intelligence

Contact emails, phone numbers & warm leads

49.90 €one-time • Incl. 21% VAT

Plan Comparison

FeaturePDF ReportMarketing+
Full security analysis
Professional PDF export
Email delivery
Lifetime access + unlock code
Contact emails & phones
Marketing outreach data

Already purchased?

Order summary

Domainstarthubs.co
Access tierFull report or marketing add-on

Digital reports are delivered immediately after payment. By continuing you acknowledge the withdrawal waiver described in our Returns & Refunds policy.

VisaMastercardApple PayGoogle Pay

Secure payments processed via EveryPay. Prices in EUR; Incl. 21% VAT.

SEQ SIA

Lastadijas 12 k-3, Riga, Latvia, LV-1050

Reg. No. 40203410806 • VAT LV40203410806

Support: guard@offseq.com+371 2256 5353

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