By offering non-profit organizations the opportunity to showcase their brand on the McLaren Formula 1 car, Sponsor X aims to amplify social impact causes and empower communities.
The growing number of viewers and new fans of Formula 1 racing is continuing its meteoric rise. As Formula 1 continues it’s mass expansion into the United States, it is vital that the teams and the brands that surround Formula 1, break the mold and find even more people to be a fan of the sport to keep the continued growth of Formula 1 decades to come.
Sponsor X, a groundbreaking initiative by Smartsheet in partnership with McLaren Racing, is revolutionizing sports sponsorships by using them as a force for good. By offering non-profit organizations the opportunity to showcase their brand on the McLaren Formula 1 car, Sponsor X aims to amplify social impact causes and empower communities.
In a powerful partnership aimed at promoting STEM education, Smartsheet and Girlstart have joined forces for the United States Grand Prix. As a national women-led nonprofit organization, Girlstart is focused on inspiring girls to embrace science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. Taking the place of honor on McLaren’s Formula 1 cars, sponsored by Smartsheet, Girlstart aims to raise awareness for its mission and highlight the importance of STEM education in the global spotlight.
Sponsor X showcases the dynamic alliance between Smartsheet, a leading collaborative work management platform, and the legendary McLaren Formula 1 Team. This innovative initiative goes beyond traditional sponsorships, focusing on driving meaningful change and promoting impactful social programs. The partnership enables deserving non-profits to gain global visibility and engage with diverse audiences, providing them with a platform to make a lasting impact.Empowering Girls in STEM
Girlstart, an organization dedicated to empowering girls in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, was selected as one of the beneficiaries of the Sponsor X initiative. With a mission to inspire and empower young girls to pursue careers in STEM, Girlstart aligns perfectly with the values and goals of Sponsor X. Through their educational programs, mentorship initiatives, and access to STEM resources, Girlstart has been instrumental in breaking down barriers and opening doors for girls interested in these fields.
Girlstart’s commitment to promoting STEM education extends far beyond the United States Grand Prix. Through year-round out-of-school STEM programming, Girlstart caters to girls in elementary and beyond, offering them access to a wide range of educational opportunities. By nurturing their curiosity, confidence, and interest in STEM subjects, Girlstart equips these young girls with the skills and passion needed to pursue successful careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
“Girlstart brings the elements of discovery to forth and fifth graders through STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) opportunities," said Shane Woods, Executive Director, Girlstart. “Because of their younger ages, where girls still believe anything is possible, to bring an experience like this thanks in part to Smartsheet, it gets the girls asking if they have a place in F1 and the answer is most certainly, yes. Being able to bring the girls to the track here at the Circuit of the Americas and for them to see women working in racing it reaffirms that they too can be a part of Formula 1. Seeing the cars race and the behind the scenes of what it takes to get a car onto the track removes the technical boring parts of STEM and puts those concepts into reality. Girlstart is about connecting these girls to the broader community where STEM is widely used allowing them to see and be aware of the amazing places they can use their education."
The United States Grand Prix served as the perfect backdrop for Girlstart’s inclusion in the Sponsor X initiative. As the McLaren Formula 1 car zoomed around the race track, it proudly displayed the Girlstart logo, capturing the attention of millions of fans worldwide. This prime placement provided Girlstart with unprecedented exposure, positioning them as a major player in the global conversation around gender equality and STEM education.
The partnership with Girlstart goes beyond visibility on McLaren’s Formula 1 cars. During the United States Grand Prix, special programming will be hosted for local Austin Girlstart girls, featuring accomplished women in STEM and McLaren F1 driver Lando Norris. This unique opportunity not only showcases the real-world applications of STEM but also fosters inspiration and aspiration among young girls who are the future leaders in these fields.
“The real world applications of STEM are everywhere," said Woods. “At Girlstart, we want these girls to define their own future. To go beyond the classroom and the book and define their path. It is up to us as educators to bring the menu of options to them so they can be aware of what is available, and then from there, each individual can follow the path that they love and showcase their education of STEM in real world applications like what can be found here at a Formula 1 race."
The partnership between Girlstart and Sponsor X has provided an incredible platform for sharing inspiring stories. By showcasing the real-life achievements and success stories of girls in STEM, Girlstart aims to shatter stereotypes and encourage more young girls to pursue their passions fearlessly. The Sponsor X initiative has amplified these stories, giving them a global stage and inspiring countless others to follow in their footsteps.
Smartsheet’s Sponsor X initiative has become a platform to showcase deserving nonprofit organizations in the prestigious world of Formula 1. By offering their prime sponsorship spot to Girlstart at the United States Grand Prix, Smartsheet continues to champion the cause of STEM education. This initiative has previously featured other STEM nonprofits such as DeadlyScience, The Hidden Genius Project, and STEAM Co, spreading the message of innovation and empowering young minds.
“We are in our second season as a partner with McLaren and as a global enterprise work management and software company, we wanted a partnership that would give us that global exposure and being a part of Formula 1 was the right space for us to explore that partnership," said Chrissy Vaughn, Head of Public Relations, Smartsheet. “As we began the process of meeting with teams to explore partnerships, and with found the perfect partner with McLaren because we had goals to push the partnership to new levels and find ways to break the mold. In times like this, we take our logo off the car, which is a rarity for companies to remove themselves, and give it to worthwhile groups like Girlstart. This is the forth time we have done this with other times including Australia, the USGP last year and Silverstone this year, but all are STEM organizations and as a technology company it is vital to continue to have a STEM pipeline and we want to drive meaningful change and in moments like this we are walking the walk and not just talking the talk."
Andrew Bennett, Smartsheet’s Chief Marketing Officer, expresses pride in the impact of the Sponsor X initiative in raising awareness for STEM education. “Smartsheet’s enterprise work management platform offers a powerful tool for organizations across various sectors to collaborate and achieve their goals efficiently," said Bennett. “By partnering with Girlstart, Smartsheet exemplifies its dedication to empowering future generations and building a more inclusive and diverse workforce in STEM."
The partnership between Smartsheet and Girlstart for the United States Grand Prix represents a milestone in promoting STEM education on a global platform. Through the Sponsor X initiative, deserving non-profit organizations like Girlstart are given an opportunity to shine in the world of Formula 1, raising awareness and inspiring countless individuals. As the engines roar on the race track, the collaboration between Smartsheet and Girlstart drives the message that inclusivity, innovation, and empowerment are the keys to unlocking a brighter future in STEM.