Startup Affiliation
Certifying Growth, Connecting Opportunities
The CII CIES Startup Affiliation Program is designed to certify growth-stage startups, providing them with a powerful platform to connect with corporates, investors, and other key ecosystem enablers.
This certificate acts as a beacon, signaling to investors, corporates, customers, and partners that the startup has been rigorously vetted and meets industry-leading standards.
Why Join?
Platform for Growth:
Robust platform for growth-stage startups to thrive
Robust platform for growth-stage startups to thrive
Visibility Among Stakeholders:
Create discoverability among corporates, investors, and industry leaders.
Create discoverability among corporates, investors, and industry leaders.
Handholding Support:
Guiding and equipping startups with knowledge sessions and mentorship to become tomorrow's industry leaders.
Guiding and equipping startups with knowledge sessions and mentorship to become tomorrow's industry leaders.
Market Access:
Mitigate product-market fit challenges by providing access to markets.
Mitigate product-market fit challenges by providing access to markets.
Integration
Opportunities:
Foster integration with Indian corporates for mutual growth.
Foster integration with Indian corporates for mutual growth.
Eligibility Criteria
Registered Entity:
The startup must be a registered legal entity
The startup must be a registered legal entity
Distinctive Competitive Advantage:
Demonstrated unique selling proposition and competitive edge
Demonstrated unique selling proposition and competitive edge
Revenue:
Minimum 01Cr in the last financial year
Minimum 01Cr in the last financial year
Business Age:
Minimum of 2 years in operations
Minimum of 2 years in operations
Team Size:
Minimum 05 full-time members (Including Co-founders)
Minimum 05 full-time members (Including Co-founders)
Access to
Stakeholders:
Stakeholders:
Connect with corporates, family offices and Investors.
Enhanced
Visibility:
Visibility:
Boost your startup's
visibility among key
stakeholders.
Market
Access:
Access:
Gain entry to
markets through
our flagship
programs.
Expert
Mentorship:
Mentorship:
Benefit from
knowledge sessions
and mentorship by
industry experts.
Advocacy
Representation:
Representation:
Have a voice in
discussions with
regulators and
policymakers.
Showcasing
Opportunities:
Opportunities:
Exhibit your startup
at various National
and International
Exhibitions.
Advisor
Mr Kris
Gopalakrishnan
Gopalakrishnan
Chairman, Advisory Board and
Co founder CII CIES Infosys
Co founder CII CIES Infosys
Mr CK Ranganathan
Co-Chair
National Startup Council
National Startup Council
Expert Panel
Mr Vijaykumar
Ivaturi
Ivaturi
Cofounder & CTO
Crayon Data
Crayon Data
Ms Poyni
Bhatt
Bhatt
Former CEO
SINE IITB
SINE IITB
Mr Munish
Bhatia
Bhatia
Co-Founder
India Accelerator
India Accelerator
Dr Tamaswati
Ghosh
Ghosh
CEO
IITM Incubation Cell
IITM Incubation Cell
Mr Rajendra
Bhide
Bhide
Corporate Finance
Forbes Marshall
Forbes Marshall
Mr Raghuttama
Rao
Rao
CEO
Gopalakrishnan-Deshpande Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, IIT Madras
Gopalakrishnan-Deshpande Centre for Innovation & Entrepreneurship, IIT Madras
Mr Sridhar
Ramanathan
Ramanathan
CEO
IKP EDEN
IKP EDEN
Mr Viswanadham
Duppatla
Duppatla
Vice President, IKP Knowledge Park
Amrita Chowdhury
Co-Founder & CEO
Gaia
Gaia
Sunil David
Digital Technology Consultant
\
Ex-Regional Director(IOT) - AT&T
Murali Sundaram
Technology consulting
Gen AI consulting at Corporates - SMEs - Universities
Gen AI consulting at Corporates - SMEs - Universities
Dr.Balachandran A
Director
VIT-Technology Business Incubator
VIT-Technology Business Incubator
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is there a fee(s) associated with the Startup Affiliation Program?
Yes, only the recommended startups by the expert panel have to make the payment.
Affiliation Fees Structure;
| Sr No | Gross Revenue | Fees |
| 1 | ₹01 Cr - ₹10 Cr | ₹2,000 + GST |
| 2 | ₹10 Cr - ₹25 Cr | ₹3,000 + GST |
| 3 | ₹25 Cr - ₹50 Cr | ₹4,000 + GST |
| 4 | ₹50 Cr - ₹100 Cr | ₹5,000 + GST |
What is the validity of the certificate?
The certificate will be valid for 24 Months from the date of issuance.
At what stage startups can apply for the Affiliation Program?
Growth stage
What sector startups can enrol for the Startup Affiliation Program?
CII CIES Affiliation Program invites applications from all sectors (Agnostic)
What is the timeline for availing of the Startup Affiliation certificate?
The timeline is 30 days from the date of application
Does this Startup Affiliation entail CII Membership?
No
Can a startup get a physical copy of the certificate?
No, Although the startup can download the copy from the affiliation portal.
