Membership fees
Annual fees by category, what each includes, and when payment is due.
Applications are free to submit. A fee is requested only once the Membership Committee has approved an application, and membership begins when that payment is received.
Fees are shown as placeholders until confirmed by the Secretariat. A published fee the Council has not agreed is a commercial problem, so no illustrative figure appears here.
| Ref | Category | Who it is for | Term | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MC-01 | Student Membership | Students interested in entrepreneurship, innovation, technology, leadership and global careers. | Annual | Contact |
| MC-02 | Start-up Membership | Early-stage companies seeking mentorship, investors and international exposure. | Annual | Contact |
| MC-03 | SME Membership | Small and medium enterprises seeking trade support, export assistance and digital transformation. | Annual | Contact |
| MC-04 | Corporate Membership | Established corporations seeking innovation partnerships, start-up collaboration and international expansion. | Annual | Contact |
| MC-05 | Investor Membership | Angel investors, venture funds, family offices and corporate innovation funds. | Annual | Contact |
| MC-06 | University Membership | Universities, colleges, research institutions and educational organisations. | Annual | Contact |
| MC-07 | Government and Public Institution Membership | Government departments, agencies and public bodies working on economic development and investment promotion. | Annual | Contact |
| MC-08 | Country Chapter Membership | Groups establishing a CIBET country chapter. | Annual | Contact |
What the fee covers
The annual fee covers directory listing, introductions, member rates at events, mentoring, trade advisory, committee eligibility and delegation eligibility for the stated term.
What is charged separately
- Delegation and trade mission participation fees, published per mission.
- Paid events, where a member rate applies rather than complimentary admission.
- Sponsorship, which is a commercial arrangement rather than a membership benefit.
- Chapter chartering costs, which are set out under International Chapter Membership.
Payment
- Your application is approved by the Membership Committee.
- You receive an invoice and a secure payment link.
- Accepted methods: [Insert accepted payment methods].
- Currencies: [Insert currencies]. Fees are stated in [Insert base currency].
- Membership activates on receipt, and your directory listing goes live.
Renewal
Membership runs for the term stated for your category. Renewal notices are sent [Insert number] days before expiry, and membership lapses if a renewal fee is unpaid [Insert number] days after the due date.
Refunds and cancellations are covered by the refund and cancellation policy. No fee is taken from a declined applicant at any point.
Questions
How do I apply for CIBET membership?
Complete the online application on the Apply for Membership page. It is free to submit.
You will be asked for your professional or business details, your membership category, your reasons for joining and supporting documents where the category requires them. You will receive an acknowledgement with a reference number, and the Membership Committee will then assess the application.
How are membership applications reviewed?
Applications are assessed by the Membership Committee against the published criteria for the chosen category, and a decision is issued within [Insert number] working days.
The Committee looks at eligibility, the accuracy of the information supplied, and the applicant's standing in their field. It may request additional information. If an application is approved, the applicant is invited to pay the membership fee; membership is activated once payment is received. Fees are not taken before a decision.
What membership categories are available?
There are eight: Student, Start-up, SME, Corporate, Investor, University, Government and Public Institution, and Country Chapter.
Student is for those enrolled at a recognised institution. Start-up is a reduced-rate category for early-stage companies. SME and Corporate are for established businesses at different scales. Investor is for angel investors, funds and family offices. University is for academic and research institutions. Government is for departments, agencies and public bodies. Country Chapter is for groups establishing a CIBET chapter.
Charter Member is a status rather than a category: it recognises those who joined during the establishment phase of the Council or of a new country chapter, and can be held alongside any category.
Join the Council
Applications are free to submit and are assessed by the Membership Committee. Fees are payable only if your application is approved.
Work with CIBET
Chambers, institutions, associations, corporates and public bodies can partner with the Council on programmes, events and delegations.