Part Two of a Three-Part Series

Part One: Fueling Your Startup Community: The Power of Strategic Sponsorship

Securing sponsorship for your startup community isn't just about a one-time money injection. It's about building lasting relationships that continuously fuel growth and innovation. Erik Mitisek, a fundraising and community-building veteran, emphasizes that your strategic approach to potential partners is just as vital as the financial ask.

His extensive experience offers a clear blueprint for success. This is precisely where Techstars Startup Community Partnerships empowers your local efforts to attract and keep invaluable support.

Know Your Sponsors

Erik advises organizing potential sponsors into three distinct categories. Each one needs a tailored approach:

• Anchors: These are your big, multi-year contributors. Think influential family offices, established foundations, or key state government entities. They become true stewards of your community's long-term vision, often committing significant capital and lending crucial credibility.

• Partners: This group includes major corporations deeply invested in the startup economy. Global tech giants or leading financial institutions fit here. Their involvement often aligns with their business goals, like talent acquisition or market visibility.

• Supporters: This broad category covers all your entrepreneurial support organizations, local vendors, and service providers (like law or accounting firms). They're eager to contribute, often with smaller but numerous contributions that show widespread community buy-in.

The Three-Pronged Approach

Erik's successful strategy hinges on a three-pronged alignment for every prospect:

• Story Resonance: Does your community's compelling narrative directly align with the prospect's values, mission, or strategic goals? For example, if you're focused on job creation, does that resonate with a foundation's economic empowerment initiatives?

• Impact & Compelling Math: Can you tangibly quantify your initiatives' impact in a way that matters to them? This might mean tracking new companies started, jobs created, or the number of founders supported. For a corporation, it could be showcasing the talent pipeline created through your programs.

• Brand Value Alignment: Does the sponsor genuinely want their brand associated with your community's innovation, growth, and collaborative spirit? Are they eager to be seen as a leader in fostering a dynamic startup environment?

Secure "Super Partners" First

Erik particularly stresses identifying and securing "super partners" early. These are high-reputation names whose initial commitment creates exponential leverage.

For instance, getting Amazon or a major family foundation as an anchor partner provides a powerful endorsement. This makes it significantly easier to bring on a multitude of smaller, yet equally valuable, partners and supporters. Their involvement sends a clear message about your initiative's credibility and potential.

Build a Sustainable Base with Techstars

The Techstars Startup Community Partnerships are designed to give you the structure and proven methodology you need. We help you effectively identify, categorize, and strategically approach these diverse types of sponsors.

From developing a flexible "sponsorship catalog" to crafting tailored pitches, we'll help you build a robust and sustainable funding base. This strategic framework ensures your community isn't just surviving, it's truly thriving through powerful, lasting partnerships.

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