Questions.
Answered plainly.
Can recognition be bought?
No. Applying is free, and membership is offered only after the panel has accepted an application. Payment has no bearing on any decision, and featured profiles say that their founders are members.
Who decides?
An editor reads every verified application, and a panel of at least 3 reviewers scores it against the published standard. Anyone with a tie to the applicant steps aside.
How long does it take?
About six to eight weeks from submission to a decision: two to four weeks of verification, a week of editorial review, two to three weeks on the panel, and the decision.
Who can apply?
Founders and CEOs in the United States whose company has operated for at least 2 full years, who lead it now or did within the past 2 years.
What if I am not accepted?
You receive the decision on your account. You may apply again after 12 months.
What does membership cost?
Nothing is charged during early access. Membership is monthly only and can be cancelled at any time.
Is my application published?
No. Your answers, references and disclosures are read by Ceolumen’s staff only. A profile shows the panel’s citation and what you choose to show.
Do companies pay for reviews?
No company pays for a review, a score or a place in a list, and we do not run affiliate links in reviews.
Can a member influence a review of their company’s product?
No. Membership has no bearing on reviews, and members cannot see a review before it is published.
Who runs Ceolumen?
Ceolumen is a Stacklumen LLC product, made in Lexington, Kentucky.