Setup Certified for Agencies

A credibility credential for agencies ready to show they meet Setup’s standard.

Setup Certified helps qualified agencies demonstrate credibility, strengthen trust with prospects, and maintain placement in Setup’s private agency database for future consideration when relevant brand needs arise.

Start Your Certification Application

Apply for free. Pay only if approved.

Why Setup Certified Exists

Agencies need a credible way to show they’re ready.

The agency market is crowded, and prospects often need signals that help them understand who is credible, prepared, and worth considering. Setup Certified gives qualified agencies a practical way to show they have been reviewed against Setup criteria across experience, client proof, capabilities, and readiness.

What it is

An annual credibility credential

Setup Certified helps qualified agencies strengthen first impressions in proposals, outreach, capabilities decks, procurement conversations, and new business meetings.

What it is not

Not a lead guarantee

Setup Certified does not guarantee leads, referrals, introductions, opportunity volume, or acceptance into Sustainable Pipeline.

Who It’s For

Built for qualified agencies that want a clearer entry point into Setup.

Setup Certified is designed for agencies that want to strengthen credibility, show they have met a Setup-defined standard, and maintain placement in Setup’s private agency database for future consideration when relevant brand needs arise.

It may be right for agencies that are

Smaller, specialized, boutique, or discipline-focused
Looking for a credibility signal to support new business conversations
Not currently ready for retained Collective engagement
Interested in a lighter-weight first step into the Setup Agency Network
Potentially interested in Agency Assessment or deeper Setup engagement later

Setup reviews

Experience

Years in business, agency maturity, and relevant client history.

Client Proof

Case studies, testimonials, references, and examples of measurable work.

Capabilities

Core services, specialization, category experience, and ability to support defined client needs.

Readiness

Professional presentation, responsiveness, positioning clarity, and ability to support future brand conversations.

What Approved Agencies Receive

Credential tools your agency can put to work.

Approved agencies receive assets, language, and guidance to explain the credential clearly and use it across business development, marketing, and prospect-facing materials.

Credential assets

Setup Certified Seal

Approved agencies receive visual assets they can use across their website, agency deck, proposals, landing pages, and marketing materials.

Approved language

Credential Language

Setup-approved language and promotional guidance to explain what certification means, how your agency earned it, and how to use it across announcements, outreach, website copy, and new business materials.

Private database

Private Database Placement

Maintain placement in Setup’s private agency database for future consideration when relevant brand needs arise.

How It Works

Apply for free. Activate only if approved.

Setup Certified is designed to make the decision-first, payment-second process clear from the start.

01

Apply for free

Complete the Setup Certified application and share baseline information about your agency’s experience, proof, capabilities, and readiness.

02

Receive your decision

Setup reviews your application against certification criteria.

03

Activate certification

If approved, your agency completes annual payment based on agency size.

04

Use the credential

Approved agencies receive usage assets and language to support business development and marketing.

05

Maintain active status

Setup Certified is renewed annually to keep your credential and private database placement current.

Setup Certified Pricing

Apply first. Pay only if approved.

The Setup Certified application is free. If your agency is approved, you can activate your annual certification through payment.

Pricing ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 per year based on agency size.

Annual certification includes credential status, approved usage assets, and placement in Setup’s private agency database for future consideration when relevant brand needs arise.

$1,000 to $3,000/year

Setup Agency Network

An entry point into the Setup Agency Network.

Setup works with agencies in different ways depending on credibility, readiness, specialization, and growth goals.

Accessible Entry Point

Setup Certified

Setup Certified is the accessible entry point for qualified agencies that want to demonstrate credibility and maintain placement in Setup’s private agency database.

Deeper Evaluation

Agency Assessment

Agency Assessment is a deeper paid evaluation for agencies that may be considered for retained engagement.

Selective Retained Model

Setup Agency Collective

Sustainable Pipeline is Setup’s most selective retained agency model, built around deeper alignment and defined opportunity expectations.

Setup Certified may be a first step toward deeper engagement, but it does not guarantee Agency Assessment, Sustainable Pipeline acceptance, or opportunity volume.

Setup Certified FAQ

Common questions about Setup Certified.

Answers to common questions about the credential, application process, pricing, private database placement, and how Setup Certified fits into the broader Setup Agency Network.

A: Setup Certified agencies have been reviewed against defined Setup criteria across experience, proof, capabilities, and readiness. Approved agencies can use the credential publicly and maintain placement in Setup’s private agency database.
A: Your agency can apply for free. Setup reviews the application and, if approved, your agency receives its decision before completing payment.
A: Setup Certified pricing ranges from $1,000 to $3,000 per year based on agency size. Agencies can apply for free and only complete payment if approved.
A: No. Setup Certified does not guarantee leads, referrals, introductions, opportunity volume, or acceptance into Sustainable Pipeline. It is a credibility credential and a way to be included in Setup’s private agency database for future fit-based consideration.
A: No. Setup’s private agency database is used internally to help identify potential agency fit when relevant brand needs arise. It is not a public directory.
A: No. Setup Certified is an annual credibility credential. Agency Assessment is a separate paid program that takes a deeper look at ICP, positioning, proof, readiness, and fit.
A: No. Setup Certified may be a first step toward deeper engagement with Setup, but it does not guarantee acceptance into Sustainable Pipeline. Sustainable Pipeline requires deeper evaluation, strategic fit, and acceptance into the program.

Next Step

Start your Setup Certified application.

Apply for free. If approved, complete payment after receiving your decision and use Setup Certified to strengthen credibility across business development, proposals, and marketing materials.