- Identify partners you can work with to build your project
- Look for ways to get people to use your product
These are the activities for this lesson:
PARTNERS
Who in your community, or globally, is working to solve the same problem as you?
These people or organizations might have the same goal as you. It is likely they have knowledge, skills, and resources in line with those you will need to complete your project. Doesn’t it make sense to reach out to them to see if a partnership can be formed?
Partners are:
- people or companies who work together
- is more than someone who is helping you with your project, such as a teacher or parent.
- can help you meet your goals, but will also get something in exchange.
- maybe money
- maybe publicity
- the ability to use your app for free
Partnerships can prove very beneficial to your project. They can:
You may be able to find partners who are well connected to people you want to serve.
For example, if you want students to use your app, you might be able to partner with a school district that can tell students about your project.
In exchange, you’ll be helping the school district better serve its students.
Perhaps your business needs a service that is beyond what you can build yourself.
For example, say your app solved a garbage problem by arranging pickup. Instead of buying a garbage truck and driving it yourself, you could partner with a local garbage collection company.
In exchange, you could pay them a certain amount for each pickup they do.
TECHNOVATION EXAMPLES
Here are some examples of Technovation teams who partnered with members of their communities to help meet the team goals.
HOW TO FIND A PARTNER?
- Search online for for organizations working on the problem you are are solving.
- Ask your target users if they know of any organization working on this problem.
- Check out local universities for professors or departments doing research on your problem.
If you find a partner you might want to work with, try contacting them.
You can also get help from a teacher or mentor who might be able to connect you with them more easily.
COMMUNICATION GUIDELINES
EXPLAIN:
- who you are and why you are contacting them
- that you are working on a project for social good
- how you could benefit from a partnership
- how your project will benefit them
If you contact potential partners but don’t hear back, that’s okay!
Don’t give up!
Try phoning or emailing them again.
You will find a phone call will get a better response than an email or text.
ACTIVITY: IDENTIFY PARTNERS
Identify 2-3 individuals or organizations for potential partners
- Write down their contact information.
- Draft a short script you can use for a phone call.
- Phone them and use your script to ask for their help. Leave a message if there is no answer.
- Document the date/time and who you spoke to or left a message with so you can follow up.
- An alternative is to email the organization.
- Document the date/time sent and to whom.
REFLECTION
Finding partners can be very beneficial to your project, but it’s not an easy thing to do.
Give yourself a pat on the back for reaching out!
