Introduction
As the very first iGEM team from our university, we faced the challenge of opening many doors while building ALSense. Fundraising is not usually highlighted in iGEM wikis, but we believe that the work behind this effort deserves to be recognized and shared. Developing a project with such a strong social impact required not only scientific creativity, but also determination to connect with people, organizations, and institutions willing to support our vision.
In the following section, we present the path we followed to make ALSense possible beyond the laboratory. For us, raising funds was more than a necessity: it was a way to engage society in the fight against ALS. This disease is not only about those directly affected, it concerns all of us, and every contribution becomes a key piece of the puzzle.
Sponsors
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is a progress, working together is a success” - Henry Ford
First of all, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the sponsors who made this project possible. Their support has not only fueled scientific research but also inspired young investigators to explore innovative solutions. Within the framework of the iGEM competition, their contributions have been key to transforming ideas into real advances. By trusting in our team and the value of collaborative science, they have opened doors to young talent and entrepreneurial spirit.
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UIC BarcelonaOn behalf of the entire ALSense team, we are especially grateful to our university, UIC Barcelona, for providing the academic environment and institutional support that we needed, particularly in this very first edition. The commitment of university leaders and the Department of Biomedical Sciences has been crucial throughout the process, from registration to laboratory work and preparation for the Jamboree, always accompanied by the guidance of our mentors. |
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Daniel Oliver & Capital CellWe would also like to thank Daniel Oliver, CEO of Capital Cell, who has shown a genuine commitment to young talent and innovative ideas. His trust, respect, and generosity, expressed through both his meetings with us and his financial support, have been a great encouragement for the team. Also a reminder of the importance of building bridges between science and entrepreneurship. |
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Acid Value S.P.A.Finally, we are grateful to Acid Value S.P.A., whose contributions allowed us to continue pushing the project forward. Their support came at a decisive moment and demonstrated once again that private companies can play a key role in fostering research with strong social impact. |
How did we end up here?
We believe that sharing how we approached potential sponsors can be valuable for future iGEM teams. Fundraising is not only about securing resources, but also about building relationships, learning from every meeting, and developing the confidence to present an innovative idea to the outside world.
In the first stage of our project, we carefully mapped the landscape of public and private companies, foundations, and also grant programs in which we could participate, identifying every possible path of support to pursue. For each one, we rehearsed what a meeting could look like, playing out both positive and negative scenarios. This exercise helped us anticipate questions, prepare answers, and most importantly, ensure that we always left the room with something valuable, even if it was not financial support.
One of our mentors gave us a lesson that became a cornerstone of our fundraising strategy: before “fundraising,” there must be “friendraising.” In other words, transparency, humility, and trust come first. Only by genuinely connecting with your audience can you later discuss concrete terms of collaboration.
During meetings, we relied on a pitch deck (available at the end of this section), but we quickly learned that timing mattered: the beginning should focus on presenting the project with clarity and passion, leaving enough space afterwards for the potential partner to share their views. Often, what matters most is not just what they say, but the type of commitment they are implicitly willing to make.
This experience gave us the chance to step into a reality unfamiliar to many students: pitching an idea and convincing people to believe in your team. Along the way, we discovered a few lessons worth sharing: keep an open mind, never judge a collaborator too early, and always look for the “connection point” from which a strong relationship can grow. Finally, adapt your message to your audience. There is a clear difference between presenting your project as a scientific innovation developed in the laboratory, and highlighting your participation in iGEM as a broader, holistic experience (emphasizing youth, teamwork, and the educational and entrepreneurial dimension of the competition). Both perspectives are valuable, but the context determines which message will resonate most with your audience.
Our events
In the first months of our journey, we reached out to several foundations and institutions in search of support. While many conversations started with enthusiasm, only a few turned into real opportunities. This experience helped us understand the importance of reaching out more broadly and engaging directly with society. However, we quickly realized that in today’s context, people are often hesitant to give unless they receive something in return.
With this in mind, we designed a series of activities that opened our project to people of all ages. These events were not only moments to enjoy sports, games, or time with friends and family, but also opportunities to raise awareness of ALSense. By creating meaningful and enjoyable experiences, we managed to expand our audience, strengthen the visibility of our project, and increase the chances of successful fundraising.
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Campus booths in AprilEvery year, to celebrate Sant Jordi (Catalonia’s Day of Books and Roses) our university hosts a lively program of activities across campus. We joined by setting up a stand with redesigned popular games that included some of the daily challenges faced by ALS patients. To participate, visitors contributed a small donation of 2 euros. This playful approach opened space for conversations about the disease in a simple and engaging way. More details can be found in the Education section of our wiki. In collaboration with...
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38th Rally Empordà 2025On May 24th, thanks to the collaboration with Escuderia Baix Empordà, organizer of the 38th Rally Empordà 2025, we had the chance to share our project with the motorsport community. Flyers were distributed to all 125 participating teams, inviting them to learn about ALSense and support our mission. Around 20 cars also carried a sticker with the message “Stand up to ALS” and a QR code linking directly to our donation page. This creative initiative allowed us to combine visibility, awareness, and fundraising in a unique environment. We are thankful to both the organizers and the drivers for joining the cause. In collaboration with...
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Benefit concertWe organized a benefit concert in collaboration with the Cor de Cambra de Granollers. The event was held to mark International ALS Day, celebrated worldwide on June 21st. Music and solidarity came together in a touching evening dedicated to raising awareness and support for ALS. We are deeply grateful to the choir for their collaboration and to everyone who contributed by attending and purchasing tickets. Their presence turned the concert into both a cultural and a charitable success. In collaboration with...
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Classic & Porsche driveWe collaborated to organize a gathering of around 70 classic cars and Porsches next to our university. Each participant contributed through an entry fee that included both an initial donation and breakfast for two at a local farmhouse. Thanks to the university facilities, we also hosted a talk with all attendees to present ALSense in detail. This moment allowed us not only to fundraise but also to raise awareness and inspire further collaborations. We are grateful to the drivers, supporters, and the Clàssic Motor Club del Bages for making this event possible. In collaboration with...
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Running for ALS at MontmelóIn 2026, for those who enjoy sports, we will collaborate with the Montmeló Circuit in Barcelona to organize three charity races: a children’s run, a 5 km, and a 10 km event. These races offer participants the chance to combine physical activity with solidarity, supporting ALSense through their effort. Beyond the runs themselves, the day will also include side activities to create a festive and engaging atmosphere. By opening the track to both athletes and families, we aim to bring together health, community, and fundraising. This event will be a new milestone in connecting society with our project. In collaboration with...
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Direct donations
This section reflects the most direct way people supported ALSense: through personal donations and online crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe. Friends, family, and close supporters were the first to believe in our project, helping us take the initial steps. Their contributions, whether in person or through our donation link, provided the foundation that allowed us to keep moving forward.
Link crowdfunding: https://gofund.me/64c343e1
In the following part, we highlight the names of those who placed their trust in our team through direct donations. Their support has gone beyond financial help, showing us generosity, confidence, and encouragement along the way. Each contribution has made our path a little easier and our project stronger. We are deeply grateful for their example and commitment.
Vw Golf Challenge Family
We want to distinguish the following names from the previous group, as they belong to the Golf Challenge family, a passionate community of car lovers and adventurers in Morocco. Each of their donations carried a message of joy and encouragement for the work of young researchers and entrepreneurs. Their support went far beyond fundraising, reminding us of the power of enthusiasm and solidarity. We sincerely thank them for being more than travel companions: true people committed to society.
To encourage more people to join our cause, we designed a communication strategy that combined both physical and digital presence. Posters allowed us to reach new spaces and audiences, while LinkedIn posts helped us share our progress with a professional community. Every flyer, poster, or presentation we distributed included a QR code, making it simple for anyone to access our donation link instantly. Beyond raising funds, this strategy aimed to create constant visibility for ALSense, turning every interaction into an opportunity to spread awareness about ALS and inspire collaboration.
To encourage further engagement, we also shared our poster with the community. 
Download our poster (PDF)
Grants
Alongside the activities we organized to raise funds directly from society, we also looked for institutional opportunities that could help us grow. Participating in grant programs gave us not only the possibility of securing financial resources, but also the chance to validate our project in highly competitive environments. These experiences motivated us to keep improving ALSense and to connect with mentors who could guide us in turning our idea into a real innovation.
Santander X: University Entrepreneurs 2025
One of the highlights of this journey has been our participation in the Santander X University Entrepreneurs competition, organized by Banco Santander. Every year, this program selects entrepreneurial university projects across Spain and offers them a unique combination of funding, mentorship, and visibility. Competing side by side with other innovative teams, ALSense was able to move beyond the first phase and even receive a prize. This recognition confirmed the potential impact of our project and gave us fresh momentum to continue pursuing new stages of the program. Future results will further define our progress in this initiative, but being part of it has already been a source of inspiration and pride for the team.
Raffles
As part of our fundraising strategy, we designed creative raffles to engage people in a fun way while supporting ALSense. With 5 EUR tickets, anyone could participate—and the more tickets they bought, the higher their chances of winning.
Raffle 1: Mixed baskets (August 1 – September 21)
Our first raffle consisted of two generous baskets, each filled with cultural experiences, gastronomic surprises, and unique gifts. All items were kindly donated by companies that trusted our project and wanted to support it. Among the prizes were a visit to the Barcelona Aquarium, artistic workshops at Taller Balam, gourmet tastings at La Bikineria, and the famous bravas from König. Other collaborators included Studio Kanay, Singularu, Mr. Wonderful, the Catalan Surf School, Can Pericus, and Art & Wine. The raffle was designed for all ages and tastes.
Raffle 2: Live the speed for ALS (August 2 – September 24)
The second raffle offered the thrill of motorsport. Thanks to the generosity of professional drivers Aleix Gubianes (UrpiSport) and Toni Arrufat, three lucky winners became copilots for a day in a Suzuki Swift Sport and a Peugeot 208 during exclusive test sessions. The experience was recorded so winners could relive it. This raffle raised funds and brought visibility to ALS beyond the lab.
A shared effort
These raffles were only possible thanks to organizations and individuals who stood by our side. Every prize, service, or experience was donated, proving that solidarity can take many forms. For us, these events represented the joy of creating connections and the belief that research and innovation deserve everyone’s support.
Non-financial aid
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Not all support comes in the form of direct funding. Along our journey, several organizations and collaborators provided material resources and technical help that were essential to the success of ALSense. We would like to express our gratitude to: La gran impressió, for printing materials such as posters and flyers that helped us spread our message. LOUD Division & Roger, for supporting us in the preparation and production of most of our audiovisual content, both for deliverables and our wiki. If you are looking for professionals who can take your brand to the next level, you are in the right place. La Gralla, for kindly offering their space to host the Scientific for a Day educational activity (more details can be found in the Education section). And also for providing school supplies that allowed us to carry out our different educational activities. Fernando Guirao & Guillem Esteve, for generously helping our team build and improve this website, dedicating their time and skills without asking for anything in return. Their contributions demonstrate that collaboration is not only about money, but also about sharing skills, spaces, and resources to make a project grow. |
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