ERP systems are deeply ingrained in organizations across the racing industry and work to support key business functions. At the same time, ERP providers like Acumatica and automotive racing organization Paretta Autosport share core values: woman-forward, speed, precision, agility, innovation, teamwork and cutting-edge technology.
In August of this year, Acumatica announced our primary sponsorship of Paretta Autosport at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix in Nashville, Tenn. Our sponsorship of Paretta Autosport was our first foray into the sport of INDYCAR racing – and as soon as we learned more about Paretta Autosport’s mission, we knew we wanted to work with them.
Paretta Autosport is the first and only woman-owned, woman-driven, and woman-forward NTT INDYCAR team. With approximately 65% of the team comprised of women across all roles, Paretta Autosport shines a bright light on diversity and inclusion for all while developing talent to feed the STEM workforce pipeline well beyond motorsports. Paretta Autosport’s commitment to training the next generation of women in STEM resonates deeply with us as we seek to create opportunities for women in our industry.
We are laser-focused on our AcumatiCares program, which aims to make the world a better, more inclusive place. In 2021, Acumatica hired 200 employees—40% of whom were female. And each year at our Summit, Acumatica hosts the Women in Tech Luncheon to empower women from Acumatica and across its customer and partner ecosystem.
Beth Paretta, CEO and team lead, said, “Acumatica is the perfect company to sponsor the Paretta Autosport car. Like us, Acumatica is passionate about deepening its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. We’re proud to manifest those efforts on the racetrack to inspire others.”
Paretta recently founded Women in Motorsports North America in partnership with Lyn St. James. Women in Motorsports North America is a community of professionals who support opportunities for women across all motorsport disciplines. Paretta’s commitment to creating equal opportunity for women across various industries inspires and encourages us to continue doing the same.
Acumatica strives to act as an example to our customers and partners by fostering sound DEI initiatives. We’re also investing in sustainability initiatives.
We are deeply committed to sustainable business practices and decreasing our carbon footprint. For example, in 2021, Acumatica averaged a 72% reduction in carbon emissions, became climate neutral certified, and saved 5.5x of our emissions by transitioning customers to cloud ERP. In April 2022, Acumatica received a Silver Medal from EcoVadis, which evaluates how well a company has integrated sustainability and corporate social responsibility into its operations. Acumatica’s overall score placed us in the top 9% of companies in our industry.
INDYCAR also values this commitment. For example:
- The fuel used by INDYCAR is a variation of E85, which contains 85% ethanol and 15% high-
octane racing fuel. - In 2023, Shell will produce a new racing fuel for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, making INDYCAR the first US-based motorsports series to power racing with 100% renewable fuel. This fuel will reduce INDYCAR’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60%.
- Longtime series partner and tire supplier Firestone has developed new racing tires (Firestone Firehawk), partly made of natural rubber from the guayule shrub. The tires made their competition debut at the Music City Grand Prix, and Firestone plans to incorporate guayule rubber into more of its racing tires in 2023.
Acumatica is also studying the carbon impact of the INDYCAR sponsorship, and we will purchase renewable energy credits for the entirety of the exposure of the race—maintaining our existing carbon-neutral certification.
Acumatica’s sponsorship of Paretta Autosport demonstrates our values and commitment to diversity, inclusion and sustainability. We are proud to have invested our time, money and support in a team whose mission aligns closely with ours. We will continue evaluating sports sponsorships that fit Acumatica’s core values across performance and sustainability. Stay tuned.
