Below, you will find a brief introduction to our team and values, which will provide you with some background before you speak with sponsors! You are a member of our team and we want to make sure everyone presents the team in the same manner!
We are on a mission to design and build solar vehicles that demonstrate the potential of renewable energy
We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of solar-powered transportation for a more sustainable future
We are a reputable Student Design team that has been around for decades
We are a 30 year old student design team founded in 1988 and one of the largest student teams on Waterloo campus
We compete at races across America
In the summer of 2018 our team competed at the American Solar Challenge, where Midnight Sun became the first-ever Canadian multi-occupant vehicle team to complete the ~3000km solar car race across the United States
We are a student team, not a business
When discussing potential sponsorships, avoid promoting what we can offer in return (will make us sound more like a business)
We are students who can bear responsibility and take our work seriously - we are not just doing it for fun
To communicate this, one can present CAD drawings of parts to potential machining sponsors
Emphasize that this is not a money-making project, but a learning opportunity that will create impact and change how we view transportation in the future
We are unique and a diverse group
Our members belong to various faculties and multiple disciplines at UW
We are a team of undergraduates who strive to make the best version of ourselves upon graduation
We take pride in the growth and development of our members, where many have pursued related careers at companies such as Tesla, Toyota, Microsoft, and Apple
Our team members enrolled in co-op programs bring an abundance industry experience to our team as they alternate between school and work terms
We treasure our relationships with sponsors
They are not a bank, but a partner who we will work together in this journey
Sound professional, and be sure to be friendly!
In the end, we do need to give back… So what can we offer in return?
UW's co-op program : If the company is not already a part of it, invite them and direct them to the co-op information on the UW website
The University of Waterloo’s cooperative education program is one of the largest of its kind in the world
Access to top talent : Top talents reside in student teams and Midnight Sun boasts a wide variety in mechanical design, hardware and electrical integration, product management and more!