[Techtaffy Newsdesk]

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has launched a new membership category for startups.

Gary Shapiro (President and CEO, CEA):  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.

On Thursday, January 3, 2013, startups can begin to sign up for CEA’s new membership category.