How big will FIRST ever get?

[TomWx]

Originally posted by Matt Leese
There simply aren't as many sponsors out there as we would like. And after awhile we'll run out of all the possible sponsors. ...FIRST is an expensive competition. At some point it's going to become very difficult for teams to be able to raise money and then team growth will slow.

Matt

Hey Matt, remember me?

You bring up a good point, as has been said. However, if memory serves me right, this was the first year a cap was placed on spending on the robot. From a team who has never been able to raise enough money for fancy carts, cool shirts, extraordiary buttons, or even a hi-tech machine, it's not so much the lack of sponsors. From where I sit, the problem is two-fold.

First, some teams have an innefective way of exploiting the event. ("It'll get kids involved in robotics." Yeah, that's what a stingy company wants to hear.) Most companies need a better reason than that it's technology in under-funded schools. While the platinum may be hidden, it is only he who turns the rock without destroying the precious substance underneath it who gains the wealth. Only when the team has alot of money do the realize how little they use in the FIRST game, but within the Chairman's award and presenting everything.

The other problem comes with a different type of donation, one that cannot be written off on a tax form: Volunteering. FIRST runs mainly from volunteer time and parts as we all well know. How many adults have spent sleepless nights working on their projects for FIRST? How many people stay behind at events to make sure nothing gets left behind? Not all that is wealth comes with dollars attached.

But back to the original question, FIRST will continue to grow as long as people are interested in tinkering, electricity, and exponential thinking.