[Kevin Sevcik]

One thing that you definitely need to start doing right away is looking for additional sponsors. Regardless of how much money you need to compete this year, which others have covered more than adequately, you'll need that much or more next year. I haven't noticed anyone else mention this, but the 6K or 7k NASA grants are a one or two year thing intended to get more rookie teams started up. All too often, these teams fail to fundraise enough new money in following years, and the just vanish.

So, no time like the present to start fundraising. Look for big businesses in your area, and send them a letter asking for funding. I know there's a couple floating around the forums. If you get a couple that are interested, make sure to invite them to your regional, if it's close enough for them to attend. And be sure to get some team members running around with still cameras and video cameras. Nothing makes for better recruitment material than showing people what you guys do.