In a Givealittle campaign, the team are seeking to raise $25,000 (and had $11,929 by early this week). But organiser Donna Baker told the Herald the total cost will be in excess of $60,000 for the team and chaperones. “We have to compete in Dallas in four weeks but have just had all five community grants declined and are now struggling for funds,” Baker said. With the recession, funds were tight for both private and public organisations. She’s making progress too. After making more than 400 pitches via LinkedIn, Baker has landed a range of new backers for Team 2915E, including Control Web and Lenco – both returning from last year – plus newcomers 2degrees, Southern Cross Travel Insurance, Wismopay, Page Macrae Engineering, Lancom Technology, ClearPoint, PCI Projects, CY International, Auckland University’s Newmarket Innovation Hub and the Hi-Tech Awards Trust. “We’re super thankful for the donations so far,” Baker says. The team are now just $15,000 shy of their target. Baker is hoping more backers from the technology industry will emerge “and help the upcoming engineers and programmers of tomorrow to realise their dreams today”. Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald’s business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.