Arlington, VA—The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), representing more than 2,000 technology companies, has created a new membership category for start-ups. The special focus on start-ups is consistent with CEA’s commitment of fostering innovation as a national strategy and as part of its mission.
CEA believes that innovation is critical to American global leadership and economic growth. The association has taken several steps to help spread that message, including: starting a grassroots campaign, the Innovation Movement, to educate lawmakers on the spirit of innovation; producing the International CES; and launching a magazine, It Is Innovation (i3).
“Start-ups are jump-starting our economy and are paving the way for America’s future,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CEA. “Creating a unique membership category for start-ups is another way we are pursuing our strategic goal of promoting innovation, the lifeblood of our industry.”
CEA’s start-up category will offer regular membership benefits at a reduced rate of $95 per year for two years. To qualify, companies must be in development of a technology product, service or app that was introduced into the market within the last year or will be within the next year; have annual sales under $1 million; be located in North America; and not have been a CEA member within the past two years.
Over the last few years, CEA has focused on building partnerships with the start-up community. By launching the Eureka Park TechZone at the 2012 CES, CEA provided an exhibiting opportunity to launch new products, services and ideas. This TechZone is even larger at the 2013 CES and is the show’s premier destination where retailers, venture capitalists, manufacturers and other attendee groups can find budding entrepreneurs and start-ups. All Eureka Park exhibitors are eligible for CEA’s start-up membership.
Start-ups can e-mail membership@CE.org for more information. ce.org
