and requires plenty of persistence and ingenuity. You could easily spend as much effort on getting your sponsors as you do on building a robot. But if you're successful, whether you win or lose you've accomplished something and will potentially be paid for all your hard work. To date we at M5 have made much more money through our sponsors than we have in prize money, and have more or less been paid a reasonable hourly wage or equivalent for time spent working on Blendo. Our sponsors are happy with their involvement with us, even though we haven't placed well in recent competitions. They are a part of our team and they take it personally when we win or lose, and enjoy keeping in close touch with us through all the excitement of the event and the preparations.
Outside of the fun they have in being involved, our sponsors have also received a good value for their support; for relatively little money they have had their name and logo displayed on nationwide TV, and their involvement will in the long run possibly make the difference between the success or failure of this new sport. The more support sponsors provide, the more ambitious the robots will be, and the more ambitious the robots, the more successful the event. The more successful the event, the more young people will become involved and learn about engineering and physics and a bunch of other stuff that we all know are valuable skills for youth to be growing up with.
We're heading to one of the most important things we've learned about acquiring sponsors; you need to remember it's not about them giving you something -- what are you giving them? I've listed these things above. It's an opportunity for the sponsors, not a burden, you're not begging for a handout. You have something to sell, a product you believe in -- do they want to buy it? If they don't then they're missing out on an opportunity. Not that you want to cop an attitude or anything of the sort. You just need to realize that you're offering them something that is worth what you're asking; Have a sense of pride about it and believe in it. I know you're most likely a geek and all that really excites you is the smell of cutting fluid. Get over it and go get some money.
Any business. The larger the business the more likely they'll feel enticed by national TV coverage, and the more money they'll have. Use the internet to track down and learn about potential sponsors and what their products are. You should be familiar with the company and treat them as if they are the only sponsor you're interested in because of what they do. It's easier to pitch if you have an angle, like "I'm using Grainger products in my robot -- I want you to be a sponsor." We start Blendo with Bosch's new 24 volt cordless drill; Bosch is one of our sponsors.
One thing to keep in mind: volume is everything. Most sponsors are going to turn you down. Period. Keep going, sooner or later you'll get one -- or several. You're playing the odds and you will eventually win. Don't ask? Don't get. In spite of the above advice about large companies, local businesses you are familiar with and who know you are a good place to start. Places you shop will be more receptive to being approached and may be intrigued by the novelty of their relatives seeing 'Bob's Auto Parts' on TV. |
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Also in spite of what I said above, banks, venture capitalists, internet companies may not have a lot to do with fighting robots but they may have an advertising budget or you may luck out and run into an enthusiast who just wants to be involved. Have some fun with it and threaten to sick your robot on them if they don't pay up. You'll get their attention (or a lawsuit). Unfortunately finding a sponsor is the hardest part -- all I can say is be systematic, do something like put an hour in on the bot, an hour on the phone. Volume.
Also, be prepared for the fact that not everybody has heard of the competition. Be prepared with a video tape and web site for them to look at. It's best if they have heard of it though and your best bet is to find an enthusiast.
The easiest thing to get is product. If a company makes or has something you can use, ask for that if you can't get cash out of them. It's much, much easier for a company to divert a little product in your direction than cash. Also, $3000 worth of product may have only cost them $1500 before their markup, and if you can use it that's the best thing. You can also wheedle returned items that are damaged but useful to you, and you can simply ask for store credit. The same goes for services.
If you're able to get cash, one way to figure out how much to ask for is to break it down to the square inch of logo displayed on your robot, per competition. Don't make payment contingent on winning, and don't offer to be exclusive unless they dump a whole lot of money on you. Tailor the amount you're asking for to the sponsor; Bob's Auto Parts isn't going to give you $10k unless Bob's your uncle; Microsoft might. So far the most we've heard of from a non rich uncle source is around $20k in product, $5k in cash. Let us know if it goes up.
Editor's Note: As of 1/15/2001, Top BattleBot contenders are getting as much as $40,000 cash and product!
Be prepared to have stickers printed - you can get self adhesive stuff that an ink jet printer will print on, and you can get logos off the net for some companies. Don't expect them to provide what you need but be sure to ask. Make a bunch of them because they'll get scratched up in battle and you want them to look good.
We also had shirts embroidered with logos, but iron-ons are a close second and easier. There are kits with stuff an ink jet prints on for those too. Ditto hats.
Plaster stickers all over your tool kit etc. Make flags for people to wave in the audience. Get tickets for the event for your sponsor and people in the company, and give them shirts etc. with logos if appropriate. Make sure you tell the sponsor all that you'll do for the company when you ask for the money -- remember, you're selling something, not asking for a handout. Try to get the cash or product up front, or at least 50%; if you get your butt kicked they may be harder to get to pay. You should also have ready a contract delineating what exactly you're giving them and what they're giving you.
Best of luck,
Jamie Hyneman, Alberto Carreno, and Blendo M5 Industries, Inc. |
Building a combat robot is an exciting, rewarding experience, but it can also be quite expensive. Considering the R & D, special tools, spare parts and your valuable time, you could pack a small fortune into your prized creation.
