Sponsorship opportunities for the Believe & Achieve competition
The Believe & Achieve business plan competition gives emerging entrepreneurs a platform to develop ideas, test their assumptions, and present practical solutions to a regional audience. As part of the 2019 BYU Management Society Asia Pacific Conference in Mongolia, it connects participants with mentors, business leaders, judges, and potential supporters.
Sponsorship opportunities offer companies a meaningful way to strengthen entrepreneurship across the Asia-Pacific region. Financial contributions are valuable, but support can also include mentoring, professional services, venue assistance, travel help, technology, communications, or prizes that recognize outstanding achievement.
For sponsors, the competition provides visibility within a focused business community while creating direct opportunities to encourage innovation. It is a chance to associate a brand with initiative, education, ethical leadership, and the development of future business talent.
Why the competition merits support
A strong business idea needs more than enthusiasm. Competitors benefit from guidance on market research, budgeting, customer needs, operations, presentation skills, and long-term planning. Sponsorship helps create the conditions in which participants can turn early concepts into credible business proposals.
The competition also reflects the conference’s wider regional purpose. Participants and attendees come from different professional, cultural, and national backgrounds, making the event a useful setting for cross-border connections. A sponsor can help ensure that promising ideas receive attention while contributing to a more capable and connected business community.
Ways a sponsor can contribute
Cash sponsorship can help fund competition administration, participant materials, awards, venue requirements, communications, and other event expenses. Companies may choose a broad contribution or support a specific part of the program, such as finalist presentations, judging, educational sessions, or recognition for category winners.
In-kind support can be equally practical. Accounting firms, banks, law practices, marketing agencies, technology providers, hotels, airlines, and training organizations can contribute expertise or services. A company with an interest in education might also support learning materials, while a professional firm could offer workshops in financial planning, branding, or business compliance.
What support can make possible
The right sponsorship package should connect a company’s objectives with a clear benefit for participants. The following examples can be adapted to the scale of the contribution and the needs of the event.
| Sponsorship focus | Possible contribution | Participant or event benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Competition operations | Funding, software, printing, or administrative support | Smooth registration, judging, and finalist coordination |
| Awards and recognition | Cash prizes, products, scholarships, or professional services | Greater motivation and meaningful recognition |
| Mentoring and training | Workshops, coaches, speakers, or technical advisers | Stronger business plans and presentation skills |
| Travel and access | Accommodation, transport, or participation grants | Broader access for promising competitors |
| Promotion and media | Design, photography, video, or communications support | Wider awareness of the competition and its ideas |
A sponsor can also underwrite a particular award category that reflects its mission. For example, a company focused on sustainability might recognize responsible enterprise, while a financial institution could support an award for sound planning and measurable growth. Clear criteria make the relationship credible and help participants understand what excellence looks like.
Value for participating businesses
Brand exposure is one benefit, but it should not be the sole reason to participate. Sponsors gain a closer view of emerging talent and may identify potential employees, partners, suppliers, or founders. Meeting competitors during presentations and networking sessions can also reveal market needs and fresh approaches to regional business problems.
Employee engagement adds another dimension. Staff members can serve as mentors, judges, workshop leaders, or event volunteers. These roles develop leadership and communication skills while giving employees a direct connection to the company’s community investment. The experience can be especially valuable for professionals who want to share practical knowledge with the next generation.
Sponsors can also contribute to a culture of informed decision-making. Business planning depends on numeracy, evidence, and disciplined analysis, and educational resources such as mathematics learning materials can complement broader support for entrepreneurial development.
Build a regional partnership
The conference creates a setting where sponsorship can extend beyond a single transaction. A company may begin by supporting the 2019 competition and continue through mentoring, internships, chapter activities, alumni connections, or future BYU Management Society events across Asia Pacific.
Regional partnerships work best when expectations are agreed in advance. Sponsors should discuss recognition, speaking or judging roles, logo placement, reporting, participant privacy, and the timing of benefits with the organizing team. This makes the arrangement transparent and allows the event to protect the competition’s educational purpose.
A thoughtful sponsor also respects the independence of the judging process. Contributions should enhance the experience without influencing scores or requiring competitors to promote a product. Trust grows when commercial visibility and fair competition remain clearly separated.
Plan a responsible commitment
Before approaching the organizers, a prospective sponsor can define the type of support it is prepared to offer and the outcomes it hopes to encourage. Useful preparation includes:
- Set a realistic budget for cash or in-kind support.
- Choose a focus that fits the company’s expertise and values.
- Identify employees who can mentor, judge, speak, or volunteer.
- Agree on recognition, reporting, and practical event responsibilities.
- Measure results through participation, engagement, and follow-up connections.
The most effective proposal is specific without being restrictive. It might offer a prize fund, a workshop series, travel assistance, or professional expertise while allowing the organizers to apply the contribution where it has the greatest effect. Early communication is important because event schedules, materials, judging arrangements, and conference logistics must be coordinated in advance.
Supporting the Believe & Achieve competition is an investment in ideas, people, and regional relationships. Businesses interested in sponsorship can connect with the BYU Management Society Asia Pacific Conference organizers to discuss suitable packages, in-kind contributions, and ways to help competitors move from a promising plan toward meaningful achievement.