i3 - September/October 2017 - 46

Business
CT R E P O RTS

CTA Startup Membership
Highlights Entrepreneurs
ecognizing the critical role startups play in driving innovation
and growing the industry, CTA began to offer membership to
startup companies in 2011. Now in its fifth year, CTA's Startup
Membership comprises more than 20 percent of the association's member
companies. Startup membership extends a full range of benefits to
companies, the ones who undoubtedly need them the most. "Our staff
and members offer a wealth of expertise and knowledge to help newer
companies make the connections and secure the tools they need to survive
and thrive," says Deb Kassoff, CTA's director of member programs. i3 sat
down with three CTA startup members who joined in 2012 to see how
they have leveraged their memberships while growing their companies.

 R 

Nomad

Noah Dentzel launched
Nomad, which makes travel
accessories and mobile
devices, through a
Kickstarter campaign in 2012.
"As total newbies to the
industry, we were delighted
to learn that not only was the industry's big
tradeshow coming up just as we were nearing
production of our first product, but that CTA had
just begun a new startup membership that made
participating at CES much more accessible to
early-stage companies like ourselves," he recalls.
Noah explains that establishing a voice and identity
as a startup is critical for success, but quite
challenging. "It can feel intimidating comparing
yourself to the colossal industry heavyweights," he
says. "The startup opportunities that CTA provides,
like discounted membership, the startup exhibitor
zone and pitch contests, plus treating us like we
belonged there, all helped us establish ourselves in
the consumer electronics world in our early days."

TMSoft

Most startups don't have
the resources to focus on
government affairs, which
makes membership in a
trade association even more
important. Todd Moore,
founder of TMSoft, a mobile
app software company, joined as a CTA startup
member to network, collaborate and capitalize on
opportunities at CES. However, he discovered the
importance of CTA's public policy efforts after
46

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017

receiving a threatening letter from a "patent
troll." "I had no idea this was such an issue for
small businesses, startups and app developers,"
says Todd. "Now I see that our country's patent
system can be exploited and used as a weapon,
stifling innovation." Todd joined CTA's Michael
Petricone to share his story with lawmakers on
Capitol Hill. "I testified before Congress about
patent trolling. By giving us a seat at the table,
CTA allowed me to make a difference for not
only my company, but the industry."

Formlabs

Formlabs, a 3D printer
manufacturer, joined
as a startup member
soon after CTA began
offering it. According to
Moira Barry, Formlabs
leveraged the benefits of
CTA membership to gain maximum exposure
in the early stages of launching their product.
"We grew so much from starting in Eureka
Park, to earning our CES Innovations Award,
to growing our booth size and being one of
the biggest 3D printing companies at CES,"
she explains. Formlabs also relies on CTA
membership to stay connected and establish
itself as a leader within the industry. They
also participate in CTA's 3D Printing Working
Group that brings companies together to
raise awareness, conduct market research
and address topics around policy, standards,
and industry promotion. "Having a place at
this table, among startups and established
players, is a big deal for us," says Moira.

CTA's
Membership
for Startup
Entrepreneurs
Key members-only
opportunities:
* At CES: free attendee
registration, access to
member lounges, meeting
rooms, events, discounted
CES Innovations Awards
fees and discounted
conference passes.
* Online business
education all year.
* Access to CTA's extensive
market research and
library staff.
* Invitations to
networking events.
* Registration discounts
for all CTA events.
* Advocacy on public
policy issues.
* Mentoring from industry
veterans under CTA's
Mentor Program.

CTA offers this
startup membership
at a reduced rate
of $95/year for two
consecutive years.
To qualify companies
must have:
* Annual revenue
under $1 million.
* A North America office
or business location.
* Introduced their first product,
service or app to
market within the last year
or plan to in 12 months.
* Not previously been
a CTA member under
another category.
GO ONLINE:
for more information
visit: www.CTA.tech or email
Membership@CTA.tech.

I T I S I N N O VAT I O N
http://www.CTA.tech
i3 - September/October 2017

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