Sponsorship Sales Partner for AI Competition | 20% Success Commission

We are launching a new global AI competition with a simple challenge: Can you build something with AI that makes a real comedian laugh? Participants will build AI-powered artifacts such as agents, characters, games, voice experiences, videos, apps, or other creative experiments. A real stand-up comedian will interact with selected submissions and judge the results. We are looking for an experienced sponsorship sales partner who can independently identify, approach, and close cash sponsors for the competition. GOAL Secure $10,000+ in new cash sponsorships. Potential sponsors may include AI companies, developer tools, creator platforms, consumer technology companies, or other businesses that benefit from people building with and publicly demonstrating their products. Sponsors could support the overall competition or fund a dedicated award such as: Best Use of [Sponsor Product] WHAT WE NEED FROM YOU You will own the sponsorship process from prospecting through close, including: • Identify strong sponsor prospects • Reach the appropriate decision-makers • Develop and deliver the sponsorship pitch • Manage follow-ups • Negotiate sponsorship terms with us • Help move committed sponsors through payment We are not looking for someone who only generates lead lists or sends generic mass outreach. We are especially interested in candidates who already have relevant sponsor relationships or a demonstrated history of closing sponsorships, partnerships, event deals, or similar business development opportunities. COMPENSATION 20% of new cash sponsorship actually received as a direct result of your work. Examples: $2,500 secured → $500 $5,000 secured → $1,000 $10,000 secured → $2,000 $20,000 secured → $4,000 The $2,000 project budget shown on this job post corresponds to successfully securing $10,000 in cash sponsorship. Compensation is success-based. No commission is earned for prospect lists, outreach activity, meetings, introductions alone, verbal commitments, or sponsorship that is not actually paid. Non-cash contributions such as API credits or product credits do not count toward the 20% cash sponsorship commission unless we agree separately in advance. All freelancer compensation will be handled through Upwork. WHO WE'RE LOOKING FOR Strong candidates should be able to show evidence of sponsorship or partnership deals they have personally helped close. In your proposal, please answer: 1. How would you approach securing $10,000+ in sponsorship for this competition? 2. What types of companies would you target first, and why? 3. Do you already have relationships with relevant potential sponsors? Please describe the nature of those relationships without sharing confidential information. 4. What sponsorships, partnerships, or business development deals have you previously helped close? Please include approximate deal sizes and your role. 5. What is the largest sponsorship or partnership you have personally helped secure? We care much more about demonstrated access and closed results than generic sales or marketing experience.