Setup Certified for Agencies
Earn a Setup credibility credential and placement in our private agency database by demonstrating your agency’s experience, capabilities, proof, and readiness.
Apply for free. Pay only if approved.
Why Setup Certified Exists
The agency market is crowded, and prospective clients often need credible signals that help them decide which agencies are prepared and worth considering. Setup Certified gives qualified agencies an independent way to show they have been reviewed against Setup’s standards for experience, client proof, capabilities, and readiness.
What it is
Approved agencies receive the Setup Certified credential to use in proposals, outreach, capabilities decks, procurement conversations, and new business meetings. They are also added to the private Setup Certified database, which is part of the broader Setup Agency Network.
What it is not
Setup Certified is not a lead-generation service and does not guarantee referrals, introductions, opportunity volume, new clients, or acceptance into the Setup Agency Collective. Agencies may be considered when a relevant need aligns, but certification alone does not create an ongoing growth relationship with Setup.
Who It’s For
Setup Certified is designed for established agencies that want an independent credibility signal and placement in the private Setup Certified database. It offers a distinct way to participate in the broader Setup Agency Network without entering a retained Setup Agency Collective relationship.
It may be right for agencies that want to
Agencies of different sizes and specialties may apply. Approval is based on the strength of the agency’s experience, proof, capabilities, and readiness—not agency size alone.
What Setup reviews
Years in business, organizational maturity, leadership experience, and relevant client history.
Case studies, client outcomes, testimonials, references, and examples of completed work.
Core services, areas of specialization, category experience, team structure, and ability to support defined client needs.
Positioning clarity, professional presentation, responsiveness, and readiness to participate in future brand conversations.
What Approved Agencies Receive
Approved agencies receive the tools to use the credential clearly, plus placement in Setup’s private Certified database within the broader Setup Agency Network.
Credential assets
Use the seal across your website, capabilities deck, proposals, landing pages, and approved marketing materials.
Approved messaging
Receive Setup-approved language for your website, announcements, outreach, proposals, and new-business materials.
Network placement
Your agency is added to Setup’s private Certified database so our team has a current view of your capabilities when relevant brand needs arise. Placement does not guarantee opportunities.
How It Works
The process is straightforward: tell us about your agency, receive a decision, and activate the credential only after approval.
Application
Share baseline information about your agency’s experience, client proof, capabilities, and readiness. There is no application fee.
Review
We evaluate the application against the Setup Certified standards and determine whether the agency meets the requirements for approval.
Decision
Your agency receives a clear approval decision before any payment is required.
Activation
If approved, complete the annual certification payment based on agency size. You will then receive the seal, approved messaging, and placement in Setup’s private Certified database.
Annual Renewal
Renew annually and update your agency information to maintain active certification, credential usage, and private database placement.
Setup Certified Pricing
The application is free. If your agency is approved, Setup confirms the annual fee before you decide whether to activate the credential.
The Setup Agency Network
The Setup Agency Network includes the Setup Agency Collective and Setup’s private Certified database. Each serves a different purpose based on an agency’s readiness, goals, and desired level of engagement with Setup.
Credential + Private Database
A credibility credential for qualified agencies reviewed against Setup’s standards for experience, proof, capabilities, and readiness.
Approved agencies are included in Setup’s private Certified database for future fit-based consideration when relevant brand needs arise.
Certification does not guarantee referrals, introductions, or opportunity volume.
Selective Growth Relationship
A closer, selective relationship for agencies that want Setup to deeply understand where they fit and consider them when relevant brand needs align.
Collective relationships include defined expectations, ongoing alignment, and a more active operating rhythm with Setup.
Acceptance is selective and requires completion of Agency Assessment.
The path to the Collective
Agency Assessment gives Setup a deeper view of an agency’s positioning, ideal client profile, proof, capabilities, readiness, growth goals, and potential Collective fit.
Setup Certified can be a useful first relationship with Setup, but certification does not automatically lead to Agency Assessment or acceptance into the Setup Agency Collective.
Setup Certified FAQ
Everything you need to know about Setup Certified—from applying and pricing to what approved agencies receive and how certification fits within the Setup Agency Network.
A: Setup Certified means your agency has been reviewed against Setup’s standards for experience, client proof, capabilities, and readiness.
Approved agencies receive the Setup Certified credential, approved usage assets, and placement in Setup’s private Certified database within the broader Setup Agency Network.
A: Your agency applies at no cost. Setup reviews the application and determines whether your agency meets the certification standards.
If approved, you’ll receive your decision before completing payment. Once activated, you’ll receive your credential assets and private database placement.
A: The application is free.
If approved, annual certification ranges from $1,000–$3,000 based on agency size. Payment is only required after approval.
A: No.
Setup Certified is a credibility credential—not a lead generation program. Certification does not guarantee referrals, introductions, opportunity volume, or placement into the Setup Agency Collective.
Its purpose is to help qualified agencies demonstrate credibility while maintaining placement in Setup’s private Certified database for future fit-based consideration.
A: No.
The Certified database is an internal Setup resource used when evaluating agencies for relevant brand needs. It is not a public directory and is not searchable by brands or other agencies.
A: No.
Setup Certified is an annual credibility credential.
Agency Assessment is a separate consulting engagement that provides a deeper evaluation of your agency’s positioning, ideal client profile, services, proof, readiness, and growth strategy.
Some agencies begin with Setup Certified and later complete an Agency Assessment as they pursue deeper engagement with Setup.
A: No.
Setup Certified and the Setup Agency Collective are different parts of the Setup Agency Network.
Certification demonstrates credibility and provides private database placement. The Collective is a selective, paid growth relationship that requires additional evaluation, alignment, and mutual fit.
Being Setup Certified may support future conversations, but it does not guarantee acceptance into the Collective.
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application for free. If your agency is approved, you can decide whether to activate the annual credential and join Setup’s private Certified database.
Start Your Free ApplicationNo payment is required unless your agency is approved.