IEEE: A Call to Action from Dean Kamen

[Marc P.]

Don't forget insurance. I'd hate to see what type of policy an event like a regional would require.....


I've seen in other threads the average regional costs between 200 and 300 thousand dollars. Assuming even just 2,000 goes towards the kit (which is very reasonable... the control system alone is roughly $1100, plus motors, relays, speed controllers, pneumatics, sensors, etc. etc.) even a regional with 40 teams would only bring in $160,000. Regionals are usually subsidized by sponsors (UTC sponsored the New England regional), who generously cover as much as they can. Unfortunately though, not all regionals have enough sponsor support to be self sufficient. This is where FIRST steps in. If a regional has already been completely planned out and ready to execute, but the budget falls $40,000 short, FIRST must eat this cost to ensure teams have a place to compete. And as has been said, and is common sense, no company can run at a loss forever.