It's a sponsored site (trueventures). While that's ok. This is a business. But it's not entirely free as you pointed out is the contributions. Thinking about this it smacks more of a PR front for investors ( http://www.startupsearch.org/investor/ ) trying to get in on the action now Web2 is officially safe.
Now if they really get the Web2 bit they would add a RSS/ATOM data feed for fee or free. So you could digest this information with software and not just humans.
True Ventures sponsors the site in the same way National Geographic might sponsor a show about African safaris. There's an overlap in interests the brand gains from a run-of-site advertisement, and True is interested enough in the product's development to offset some of its costs.
That's understandable. I didn't see this as a problem mainly because there is ample notice.
'... There's an overlap in interests the brand gains from a run-of-site advertisement, and True is interested enough in the product's development to offset some of its costs. ...'
Ads, no problems. In fact I'm surprised that a paid option for more detailed information isn't there. Then again maybe the .org should tip me off as to the slant of the site.
'... RSS feeds are available for each object listing in the system: company, product, person, investor, and investment parter. ...'
Hey Niall. I take it back, well done. Having access to the data, for fee or free makes this a worthwhile site to use.