SES 2023 Self-funding Guide       

Securing Support to Attend SES 2023                                                 

Sponsorship can be a game-changer for turning your ideas into reality. It doesn't matter if you're a seasoned pro or a newbie; sponsorship is a skill that everyone can learn and benefit from. By mastering the art of effectively communicating your vision and trip’s value, you can secure the support you need to visit SES 2023 successfully.

And the best part? As a successful applicant for SES 2023, you have already showcased you exceptional abilities as a youth leader in the energy space, which makes you an ideal candidate to receive support from members of your community.  All it takes to get the funding you need is a little research, dedication, and creativity to identify what potential sponsors want and how your attendance and involvement with SES 2023 on behalf of your sponsor can showcase your and their willingness to support the youth community.

At Student Energy, we've seen countless young people tap into their resourcefulness and secure the funding they need to launch a project, organize regional summits, attend global forums and come to SES! With determination and unwavering commitment, you can make fundraising and sponsorship an exhilarating and skill-building experience. – Gain confidence, share your story and represent your community as you unleash your creativity and watch your ideas take flight at SES 2023.

Roadmap to successful Sponsorship 

Budgeting

📣 Before you approach potential funders, you need a detailed understand of how much support you require, and how you will utilize it. Budgeting is a fundamental skill that is essential for success in any role, whether you're managing a large-scale project or organizing a small event. Once you learn how to create a budget, you can apply this knowledge to a variety of future roles and gain valuable opportunities and be able to gain global experience.

But that's not all! Once you've set your budget, it's time to start prospecting and searching for potential sponsors. Raising funds can actually be easier than you think! There are countless agencies and institutions out there that are willing to sponsor your trip to SES 2023 when they see the positive impact it will have on their community or business.

Identifying Prospective Sponsors

⚡️ Your pipeline is a list of potential sponsors, which can be companies, organizations, or partners, that will contribute to your trip. These potential sponsors can be anyone, from a parent of a friend to a contact through your professor, or even a local company that you haven't previously interacted with. It's important to prepare as much as possible in advance, as you will need to reach out to a lot of people and be politely persistent in order to secure the necessary funding.

✏️Find out who may be your prospective sponsors?

  • Schedule a call or meeting with your advisors or biggest supports, whether it's a professor, mentor, family friend, or employer.

  • If you don’t have an existing relationship with potential sponsors, send a cold email or message! Think about leaders and people in your community or broader networks who you admire.  

  • Try reaching out to potential individuals or organizations through social media platforms like LinkedIn.

  • Sit down with them for a chat about the type of support you’re seeking, it is always possible for them to show their willingness to support you themselves or provide you with contacts to do so.

‼️Pro tip — Initial prospects can be found by looking for similar events and projects and seeing who is sponsoring them. Always a great starting point to understand why organizations support certain initiatives to get an idea! 

✏️Other Potential Sponsors/Funders:

  • Academic Institutions / Research Groups — look for opportunities around campus, check with faculty, student services, international affairs, and other offices.

  • Governmental Organizations / International Cooperation Agencies — local and National government agencies might offer financial support for student and youth knowledge expansion. National governments may have specific targets for international cooperation or youth education with funding dedicated to these causes. Finding this kind of sponsorship will require some research on both local and national levels to obtain the right contact, but it is worthwhile to pursue.

  • Energy Agencies — approach companies you worked for, plan to work for, or have done an internship with to solidify your funding. 

  • Associations / Organizations — seek financial aid from any energy-related clubs or organizations you are a part of, especially if you are an executive member. 

You may find an organization that is happy to assist you in exchange for a blog post written about your experience at SES 2023, or a research paper on a topic presented at a panel or other type of event. Be open to creative collaboration and trade. At SES 2023 there will be a board of community support where you can feature a small poster to acknowledge whoever supported you to attend. These will be seen by hundreds of youth, industry leaders, and members of government! Let potential sponsors know they can be featured on this board and provide you with a small (9x12) poster or logo to take with you. 

📝 An example of a cold outreach email —

Dear [Name of Recipient],

I hope this email finds you well. My name is [Your Name] from [Organization/School], and I have been selected to attend the attend the upcoming Student Energy Summit 2023 in Abu Dhabi. I am reaching out to you to as I am seeking financial support to attend this event. As a [student/young professional] interested in the energy industry, I am excited about the opportunities this event offers to represent my [community/school/company], build important relationships and learn from other around the globe.

SES 2023 is an excellent platform for students to connect with industry experts, learn about the latest trends and technologies, and exchange ideas with like-minded individuals. Attending this event will allow me to gain insights into the industry and meet some of the most prominent professionals in the field. I will also gain a better understanding of the challenges facing the industry and the opportunities for innovation and growth.

Your [company/organization/name of the school] is a great leader in this [enery space/industry], hence I am wondering if you would be interested  in meeting with me to see how you may be able to be involved in this opportunity. By sponsoring my trip to the Student Energy Summit 2023, you will not only be supporting my professional development but also investing in the future of the energy industry and emerging young leaders. Your sponsorship will help me acquire new skills and knowledge, and enable me to contribute to the growth of the industry in the years to come and create an impact in my community.

I am confident that attending this event will be an excellent opportunity for me to learn, grow, and network with energy professionals. I would be honored to have your support in making this possible. Please let me know when it may be a convenient time for you to meet with me.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

💬 Keep in mind that many people you are reaching out to are very busy. It is often appropriate to email people 2-3 times if you have not yet received a response. A first follow up typically occurs 7 days after the initial outreach. Always remember to be polite and professional when following up and asking for support. 

‼️Pro tip — When approaching institutions, remember to emphasize that sponsoring your trip to this event benefits both of you, as their organization will greatly benefit from learning opportunities and connections you will make at the event by representing them!

Strategize Your Pitch  

📣 To successfully obtain financial support, it is important to not be afraid of reaching out and to take the time to research potential sponsors. While emails and letters can provide detailed information, meeting with potential sponsors directly can be more effective in conveying the reasons why your organization is seeking support. If you're not sure where to meet potential sponsors, consider reaching out through public email addresses or social media platforms like LinkedIn to request a meeting. 

‼️Pro tip - Practice your pitch and telling your story! Learn to talk about why you want to attend SES, and how you will take learnings from this experience back to your community to generate impact. Maybe there is a local energy issue you are working to address and hope to gain collaborators at SES. Maybe you are ready to start your energy career and SES will give you an opportunity to meet industry leaders and build meaningful relationships. Think deeply about why you applied to SES, why you were selected as a delegate, and why is it important for you to attend. Potential funders are always more willing to support you when they understand your motivation, passions, and goals. 

To ensure that you are approaching the right people and making the most of your outreach efforts, it's crucial to do your homework and thoroughly research the various opportunities available in your area. 

Keep in mind that patience, confidence, and professionalism are key when reaching out to potential sponsors, as many of them are very busy. Don't hesitate to follow up with a potential sponsor if you haven't received a response, but be sure to do so politely and respectfully. Remember, it may be appropriate to send a first follow-up email around 7 days after your initial outreach, and it's always important to treat potential sponsors with the proper level of respect.

Present Your Pitch  

📣 When it comes to securing sponsorships for your trip, building a positive and strong relationship with potential sponsors is key. And there's no better way to achieve this than by connecting with them on various platforms such as email, company websites, networking events, LinkedIn, and setting up a meeting over the phone. Once you've made contact, it's time to show them that you and their company are the perfect fit for each other. With the ultimate goal of building their trust in your initiative and minimizing their risks, you should prepare to have a productive meeting. Here are some tips to keep in mind: listen attentively to what they have to say, demonstrate that you've done your research, maintain professionalism, avoid a pushy sales pitch, and provide marketing materials such as one-pagers that showcase your trip’s value.

In addition to sharing your story, highlight your credentials. Are you an honor roll student? Are you successfully balancing a part-time job while studying? Are you leading a project at work that took a lot of initiative to get off the ground? Do you possess strong leadership or advocacy skills? Showcase your success and what makes you an excellent person to support to attend SES 2023! 

Don't be afraid to ask questions to learn about their engagement in sustainability, climate action, and energy challenges. By following these tips and utilizing the right platforms, you'll be on your way to securing the perfect sponsorship partnership for your trip! Remember, building a relationship with potential sponsors should be a fun and exciting process. By showing them why you're the perfect match and demonstrating your passion for your initiative, you'll leave no doubts that your trip is worth their investment. So, get out there, connect with sponsors, and make your dream a reality! 

‼️Pro tip - You can always reach out to ses2023sponsorship@studentenergy.org.