In light of the recent concerns raised about Innovation First International (IFI) and their corporate culture, Team 1114 - Simbotics has determined that our partnership with IFI no longer aligns with our program’s mission or core values. While we have the utmost respect for many of the talented staff at IFI that we have worked with over the years, we have decided that we cannot and will not continue to participate in Team IFI or accept sponsorship from IFI for the 2023 season and onward.
Over the coming seasons we will examine sustainable ways to allow us to fully divest and pivot away from the VEXpro and VEX EDR product lines as well as the VEX Robotics Competition.
Team 1114 - Simbotics remains committed to fostering an environment where everyone is accepted and feels like their voices are valued, and we look forward to continuing to provide this environment to all our participants and continuing to use our voice to sponsor those changes in the world around us.
This is a huge detail. VEX EDR (now EXP) is much larger than VEXPro. Divesting from the classroom packages and VRC competition is much more significant change than stopping buying Falcon 500s or VEXPro gears. It requires substantially more effort, and I applaud those who are willing to take on the change.
True on all points, well said. The thing that personally frustrates me the most about this situation is that the whole VEX program that’s not just FRC robot parts could possibly disappear. Potentially thousands (tens of thousands?) of young people could lose a really valuable program and community that is exciting, interesting and is often the first exposure to hands-on STEM type of activity that they will encounter.
Kudos to 1114 and all other teams who chosen to disassociate themselves from IFI, it is really unfortunate that things have had to come to this.