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Dundee businesses do not have to buy sponsorship to join Project Dry Run. They can follow the inquiry for free, make an introduction, contribute a useful capability, fund a defined stage or explore a genuine commercial product role.
The invitation is deliberately broad. The project needs manufacturers and designers, but it may also need venues, photographers, printers, transport, event support, accessibility knowledge, packing space and people willing to say, on the record, that the entire proposal is ridiculous.
Five ways to take part
1. Ride-Along Partner—no fee
A Ride-Along Partner follows the public inquiry, shares relevant invitations, suggests useful people or capabilities and may host a mutually agreed visit. With permission, the organisation can be listed as following or supporting the inquiry. That listing does not imply product endorsement.
2. Contributing Partner—a defined in-kind contribution
A business may provide a sample, facility, venue, professional service, training session, test, transport or staff expertise. Each contribution should have a short written work order covering its purpose, estimated value, publicity, ownership, safety responsibilities and any confidential output.
3. Stage Sponsor—indicative starting point £2,500
A Stage Sponsor funds one visible part of the programme, such as material research, local portrait days, prototype work, packaging, independent testing or the public hearing. Recognition follows the supported work and remains editorially honest.
4. Founding Sponsor—indicative starting point £10,000
A Founding Sponsor helps underwrite several stages, including paid local hours, specialist advice and public reporting. Sponsorship does not automatically include equity, naming rights, technical intellectual property or manufacturing rights.
5. Product Partner—a negotiated commercial agreement
A designer, material supplier, manufacturer, testing laboratory, distributor or retailer may take responsibility for a defined part of the product or route to market. This is procurement or product development, not sponsorship. It requires separate terms covering specification, quality, pricing, minimum quantities, intellectual property, regulatory responsibilities and delivery.
Capabilities the inquiry may need
- garment design, pattern cutting and prototype sewing;
- technical textiles, nonwovens, laminating and material sourcing;
- independent product testing and regulatory advice;
- printing, packaging, labels and exhibition production;
- photography, video, wardrobe, props and event support;
- accessible venues, transport and visitor experiences;
- packing, fulfilment, retail and customer support; and
- recruitment, training and supported-employment expertise.
What support does not buy
A sponsor funds the work. It does not purchase a favourable result, control public evidence or turn an untested idea into a verified product claim. Financial support, in-kind contribution, procurement, investment and product ownership remain separate relationships.
The same principle applies to publicity. Businesses shown in the project approve the use of their name, premises and people. A visit does not become an endorsement unless both sides explicitly agree that it does.
The local employment purpose
Project Dry Run is designed to test paid local roles before any product factory exists. Early opportunities may include location assistants, portrait-day stewards, production runners, archive cataloguers, community researchers, accessibility testers, packing trainees and event welcome staff.
If the technical product proceeds, experienced specialists must handle its safety, testing and regulatory responsibilities. Dundee can still own a substantial share of the design research, storytelling, packaging, fulfilment, performance and public-facing work.
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