So #startpagesearch seems to finally start answering our questions. The most interest ing answer to me is the fact that System1 does indeed have the major stakehold.
We are currently discussing how we will proceed.

Link:https://support.startpage.com/index.php?/Knowledgebase/Article/View/1275/0/what-is-startpages-relationship-with-privacy-onesystem1-and-what-does-this-mean-for-my-privacy-protections