Partner with UFI
We fund certifications, run industry-judged competitions, and build university partnerships that give companies structured, early access to emerging UxS talent. Partners shape the training, evaluate candidates under real operational conditions, and recruit directly from the talent pool they helped build.
Founding Partner: $500K+
3 slots available
What You Fund:
– 1-2 university partnerships (50-100 student certifications)
– Co-branded competition (e.g., “YOUR COMPANY Mission-Ready Challenge”)
– Equipment/software for student training
What You Enable:
– Students earn Part 107 certifications at no cost
– Your company designs competition challenges aligned with hiring needs
– Top performers get direct introduction to your recruiting team
Benefits:
– Advisory board seat (shape curriculum to match your talent requirements)
– 30-day exclusive recruiting window with program graduates
– Facility tour hosting (students visit your HQ, meet your teams)
– 10-20 pre-vetted internship candidates annually
Program Partner: $100K – $499K
What You Fund:
– 1-2 university partnerships or competition tracks
– 25-50 student certifications
– Equipment and software for training programs
What You Enable:
– Students earn certifications they could not otherwise access
– Competition challenge aligned with your operational needs
– Campus presence at partner universities
Benefits:
– 60-day priority recruiting access to graduates
– Guest instructor slots (your engineers teach modules and build direct relationships with candidates)
– 5-10 pre-vetted internship candidates per year
– Logo placement on competition materials and UFI website
Supporting Partner: $25K – $99K
What You Fund:
– Certification funding for 30-50 students
– Partial competition sponsorship
– Equipment/software donations (in-kind)
What You Enable:
– Students who could not otherwise afford a Part 107 credential
– A broader talent pool enters the UxS workforce
Benefits:
– Job postings shared with UFI student network
– Booth/presence at competition events
– Recruiting access to program participants
Community Partner: Up to $25K
What You Fund:
– Individual student certification scholarships
– Event or workshop sponsorship
– In-kind contributions (equipment, software, facility access, subject matter experts)
What You Enable:
– Direct support for students entering the UxS field
– Expanded reach and accessibility for UFI programs
Benefits:
– Recognition on UFI website as a Community Partner
– Recruiting access to UFI student network
– Participation in UFI events and demonstrations
In-Kind Partnerships
What You Provide:
– Drones, sensors, or ground vehicles for training
– Software licenses (flight planning, data analytics, simulation)
– Facility access for student tours or flight labs
– Subject matter experts (guest lectures, mentorship)
What You Enable:
– Hands-on training with real industry equipment
– Students learn on tools they’ll use in jobs
Benefits:
– Logo placement and recruiting access
– Student feedback on your products (real-world beta testing)
– Brand building with future workforce
Why Partner with UFI?
Standard campus recruiting gives companies 2–3 months of visibility before graduation.
UFI gives you 12–18 months of structured contact – through equipment use, competition judging, and internship placement – before candidates reach the open market.
Tax-Advantaged Investment
UFI is an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation (EIN: 41-3641601). All partnership contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Measurable Outcomes
We track:
– Certifications earned
– Competition placements
– Internship conversions
– Hire rates
Every partnership dollar is tied to a measurable outcome.
Current Partners
Founding partnerships are in development. Announcements expected Q2 2026.
To discuss partnership options, contact us
Agricultural Technology Track (Launching 2027)
UFI is developing a competition track focused on precision agriculture – one of the fastest-growing operational sectors for unmanned systems. Student teams will solve real-world challenges submitted by working farms and evaluated by agricultural technology companies.
Companies in the ag-tech sector interested interested in shaping this track should contact us