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How Do You Go About Finding A Sponsor?
Qui-Gonn Jew asks: "A group of us were designing a robot for BattleBots, and [managed to get to the] building stage when our sponsor dropped us. So now we need to find a new sponsor that will fund us the money to finish and enter the 'Bot for next season. Any suggestions on how/who to ask? We are willing to completely cover our bot with a company logo." There are always people willing to look for sponsors to underwrite a portion of their costs whether they are entering a contest, battling robots, or driving a race car. Even .ORGs need sponsors every once in a while. What's the best way to go about finding sponsors in such situations? Hopefully, a few of you out there have different ideas that might not have been touched on the last time around.
Go on, you wouldn't want a robot with a /. logo on it?
I've seen a few of these for racers, but I don't see why it should be any different for a battle bot maker. What you need to do is put together a one or two page write up on who you are and what you're building. Include a cover letter asking for sponsorship and then mass mail the thing to local businesses and the makers of the stuff you need.
If a business can supply you with parts (either free or at a discount) it usually works out pretty well. Getting cash can be tricky (particularily with no past success), but you may just get lucky.
Your best bet is to try a smaller local business. But, try as many as your can. Make them all "co-sponsors" for a smaller amount. Hit up any company you have relations with, like the phone company, your cable company, etc. It may sound strange, but you might be suprised what you will find. What weight class are you in? I might not want you to get a sponsor. :>