Startup Program
A unique learning, partnership-development and networking opportunity for five startups innovating in measurement, currency development, metrics and data collaboration across the media and/or advertising industries.
Applications for the 2026 program are closed. Questions about the program? Email innovation@cimm-us.org.
About the CIMM Startup Program
CIMM is creating a new Startup Program to attract young, innovative technology companies that are working to build new approaches and apply emerging technologies to industry problems of strong relevance to CIMM members. Startup Program participants will be building product solutions aligned with CIMM’s core mission: innovations in measurement and currency development, metrics and data collaboration across the media and/or advertising industries.
Five startups will be selected via an application process to join the CIMM Startup Program, joining a cohort of like-minded startups. The Program will run for one year, beginning in January 2026, followed by new cohorts selected for each subsequent calendar year.
Startups that enter the Program will benefit from CIMM-enabled exposure and introductions to their potential customer and partnership base – e.g. agencies, advertisers, OEMs, MVPDs, broadcasters, and streamers.
In turn, the more traditional media and advertising companies in the CIMM member base will benefit from exposure to frontier technology development in measurement, ad effectiveness, and video.
Benefits for Startups
Full access to CIMM programs, meetings and events, research, and networking opportunities.
CIMM annual membership fee will be fully waived. No fee, no equity, no funding.
A “buddy program” will pair each startup with a traditional CIMM member company, to provide informal support and guidance – meeting at least quarterly.
Each startup CEO guaranteed at least one on-stage presence at a live CIMM event in 2026.
CIMM will foster community-building and learning across the cohort of startups in the Program through guest speakers and in-person networking.
Benefits for Existing Members
Each startup will host two (virtual) seminars exclusively for CIMM members, demo’ing their solution and showcasing their company’s progress.
Each startup will join at least one CIMM Working Group, building in more exposure points between CIMM members and innovative startups.
Further Details
- The Startup cohort will run for one year, starting in January 2026. During Q4 2026, CIMM will recruit a new cohort to be inducted in January 2027.
- Startups will be able to request that direct competitors in the CIMM membership base, if any exist, be excluded from joining their two virtual seminars.
- Startup Members will be required to sign a Membership Agreement, including CIMM’s standard confidentiality provisions, which apply equally to you and to all CIMM Members and prohibit the external sharing of your, and their, proprietary company information.
- The program is cost- and equity-free for Startup Program participants. Startups do not receive any funding from CIMM.
Qualifications
- Building in product areas with strong relevance to CIMM’s core mission – e.g. innovations in measurement and currency development, metrics and data collaboration across the media and/or advertising industries.
- Founded within the past 3 years
- Have raised some funding
- Possess a product that is in-market or near launch (with the ability to demo)
- Have the U.S. as a core or primary addressable market (though U.S. headquarters is not required)
How to Apply
- Applications open: Late 2026
- Finalist interviews: Late 2026 (via Zoom)
- Launch: January 2027 (cohort of five startups announced and program begins)
About CIMM
The Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) is a non-partisan, pan-industry coalition focused on cultivating improvements, best practices and innovations in measurement and currency, new metrics and approaches to understanding the value of media, and data collaboration and enablement. CIMM’s 100+ members include leading networks, studios, streamers and programmers, MVPDs, TV OEMs and OS providers, major digital businesses, agencies, measurement and data providers, trade bodies and consultants. CIMM is a subsidiary of the Advertising Research Foundation and adheres to the ARF’s principles of scientific rigor, objectivity and evidence-based research.
CIMM members work together to learn, network, collaborate and drive change through a rich program of commissioned research projects, live in-person events, Working Groups, and regular virtual guest speakers, research deep dives, and salons. CIMM is a cross between think tank, consulting resource and research vehicle for collective projects, all undertaken for Coalition members.
