The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, the preeminent trade association representing more than 2,000 technology companies, today launched a new membership category exclusively for startups. The special focus on startups 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. CEA 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 ^®, the world’s largest innovation event; and launching a new magazine, It Is Innovation (i3).

“Startups are jumpstarting our economy and are paving the way for America’s future,” said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, CEA. “Creating a unique membership category for startups is another way we are pursuing our strategic goal of promoting innovation, the lifeblood of our industry. Many of the individuals behind startups have put all of their resources on the line to make sure their companies have the best chance of succeeding. Every bit of support we can offer as an organization is critical not only to advancing the consumer electronics industry but also to ensuring the world’s most cutting-edge technologies end up in consumers’ hands.”

CEA’s startup category will offer regular membership at a reduced rate of $95 per year. To qualify for this membership, companies must be in development of a technology product, service or app that has been 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. Companies will receive regular CEA membership benefits at the reduced rate in the startup category for up to two consecutive years.

By expanding membership to startup companies, CEA will better serve the interests of both new and established companies. In turn, startup companies eligible for membership will have the chance to shape CEA’s public policy initiatives and gain access to invaluable resources such as business mentoring, networking, industry information and promotional opportunities. By providing innovators with an opportunity to help shape CEA’s strategy, the association has greater potential to influence the nation’s political discourse in a way that favors common-sense business policies.

Over the last few years, CEA has focused on building partnerships with the startup community. By launching the Eureka Park TechZone at the 2012 CES, CEA provided a unique exhibiting opportunity to launch new products, services and ideas. This TechZone will be even larger at the 2013 CES, and will be the premier destination at the show where retailers, venture capitalists, manufacturers and other key attendee groups can find budding entrepreneurs and new startups. All Eureka Park exhibitors will be eligible for CEA’s startup membership.

On Thursday, January 3, 2013, startups can begin to sign up for CEA’s new membership category. Email membership@CE.org for more information, or visit the Experience CEA booth in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center onsite at CES to learn more about CEA’s new startup membership.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $206 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media: https://www.facebook.com/#!/CEAfeed, http://twitter.com/ceafeed, http://blog.ce.org/.

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