Formula Student and BAJA competition series sets a benchmark for engineering students. The series aims to develop enterprising and innovative engineers. They serve as an ideal platform for students to engineer their capabilities to deliver a product. So being versatile is the key here. Think of teams as virtual companies designing and manufacturing a product. So naturally, research and marketing plays a big role.
Team DIYguru nurtures and mentors multifaceted talents. We aim to promote Makers’ culture in India and inspire innovation. We guide students through complex projects and mentor them in every possible way. Furthermore, we have created extensive knowledge databases specifically for Formula student and BAJA. They are FSAE Tutor and and BAJA tutor. These databases are regularly updated. In addition to this, industry experts and Formula student, BAJA veterans mentor students and assist them in turning their dreams into reality.
When designing and manufacturing Formula Student vehicle or ATVs, you begin researching into the concepts, procedures, competitions. The databases mentioned help a lot as they have all the resources need for research on a single platform. Also, there are many reference books available through online and offline channels. Books can be found on specific topics also like OFF- Road suspension and handling of BAJA Buggies by Aviansh Singh and Introduction to race car suspension for Formula SAE Enthusiasts by Nikhil Raj. These books are on suspension designing. There are online discussion forums catering to Formula Student and BAJA competitions. Members of different teams are interacting on these forums so this aids in your project. Along with this, online courses are available. These cover all topics extensively and provide query assistance along with mentor-ship.
Being a benchmark, theses competitions attract a huge crowd. Feeling inspired you take the initiative and start researching into them. Then you define parameters and and do rough budget estimation. After strategically dividing teams you start designing and analyzing with CAD/CAE/CFD software. Consider budget and infrastructure constraints. Then the manufacturing phase begins after material procurement along with detailed designing. Testing and feedback follows. This is the basic idea of product development life cycle. The final product is launched and marketed
Speaking of marketing, it is neglected by many teams. But it serves as a very important aspect of the competition. By effectively marketing your vehicle and team, you are presenting an idea to a multitude. You are showcasing your talent, innovations and building reputation. By portraying experience and your talents your are building a brand for yourself and your team. This helps in multifaceted ways. Promotional events help to market effectively. Digital marketing, organizing workshops in collaboration with companies are also much needed strategies. Effective marketing aids in sponsorship. Teams with good sponsorships perform better as resources are then available. Sponsorship need not be monetary always. Collaborations and mentorship assistance can also act as sponsorship. As competition increases, vehicles become more sophisticated cost of competing increases. So begin with
- Documentation. Approvals, proposal letter, Brochure, Presentation. Separate team
- Identify potential sponsors
- Research the sponsors
- Develop relations. Meet in person
- Effective marketing strategies with proper presentation
- Set sponsorship slabs. Be open to negotiation
- Sponsorship is not always meant to be monetary
- Identify Sponsor needs
- Use online fund-raising platform
Tips
- Don’t represent team as a racing car team
- Send proposal as request of assistance for engineering design competitions.
- Show reach in social media and print media
- Portray yourself as a medium of marketing for the potential sponsor
- Promotion of sponsor as per sponsorship contract and slabs
- Alumni contacts and fund
- Mass mails don’t work
- Cherish and maintain relations. (Very Important)
- MAINTAIN LONG-TERM RELATIONS.
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