AI data buyers run two kinds of referral program: one for introducing a company with records an AI lab wants, and one for introducing a skilled person who goes on to do paid AI training work. Mercor, micro1, Handshake AI, Turing, AfterQuery and Scale AI each run at least one, and each sets its own rules on its own pages. This guide compares who each program is for and what it means for the company or person you introduce.
- Company programs look for businesses that fit their own list, such as 20+ full-time staff and 3+ years in operation at Handshake AI, or 30+ full-time staff and mostly English records at micro1.
- Expert programs credit an introduction through a personal link. The person who joins is paid for their own work, and none of the pages we read describes a bonus for them.
- An introduction made through one buyer's link goes to that buyer alone, so the company sees one offer.
- Programs ban posing as their staff; micro1 and Mercor both say so in their terms.
AI data referral programs: the short answer
There are two doors. One is for introducing a company that has years of records an AI lab wants. The other is for introducing a skilled person who goes on to do paid AI training work. The rules and the timing are very different.
On the company side, each buyer wants companies that fit its own list, and the company signs its own deal. On the expert side, the person you introduce applies and is screened like anyone else. The tables below set out each program from its own page or terms. Where a program does not publish something, the table says so.
Referral partner programs for introducing a company
This table covers B2B referral programs: you introduce a business, and the buyer licenses its records. The last column is what each buyer publishes about paying the company.
| Program | Who qualifies | What the company is paid (published) |
|---|---|---|
| Mercor | Set per listing (26 listings, by industry and size) | $25k to $1.5M across the listings we read |
| micro1 | 30+ full-time staff, mostly English records, US first | $100K to $3M+ for approved data packages |
| Turing (Project Lazarus) | Companies with years of records | See our Turing Project Lazarus guide |
| AfterQuery | Operating, winding-down and closed companies | Not published |
| Scale AI | 40+ staff preferred | $10K to $1M+, which Scale calls illustrative |
| Handshake AI | 20+ full-time staff, 3+ years in operation | $100K to $4M+ advertised |
Origin is not a buyer. It is an independent data partner that values a company's records and introduces buyers; see the Origin partner program below.
Other company referral programs that publish terms
Several smaller buyers also run programs for introducing a company: Replay, BizBuyData (run by Mode) and, for source code only, Pangea. Replay says its referral fee is "paid on top of what they receive, never out of it" (Replay), so the company's own payment is not reduced. Read each buyer's terms before you introduce anyone (BizBuyData; Pangea).
AI referral programs for introducing an expert
These programs credit you when someone you invited joins through your link. None of the pages we read says the person you invite earns anything extra for using your link; their pay comes from their own work.
| Program | How an introduction is credited | What it means for the person who joins |
|---|---|---|
| Mercor | A personal link at the bottom of each job listing | Applies and is hired like anyone else; no bonus for them is described |
| micro1 | A unique link; an earlier independent application is not credited | Takes micro1's own AI interview; a referral does not guarantee placement |
| Handshake AI | A link from an approved fellow's Referrals page | No code is needed to apply; no sign-up bonus is described |
| Turing | Its Referral Page | Not published |
| Outlier (Scale AI) | From your dashboard | Not published |
| AfterQuery | No expert referral terms on the pages we read | Not published |
What every referral program has in common
Read side by side, the programs share two rules of conduct.
- Use your own link, before the person or company signs up. micro1 says "Companies must register and complete their own applications through the referral link" (micro1), and Mercor says "we are unable to manually add or backdate referrals" (Mercor).
- Do not pose as the company. micro1 says "Referral partners must not represent themselves as micro1 employees or official representatives" (micro1), and Mercor says "you must not impersonate Mercor or claim to be a Mercor recruiter" (Mercor).
Which referral partner program fits you?
If you know skilled people, the expert programs are the route. Our guides to the Mercor referral program, the micro1 referral program and the Handshake AI referral code set out each one.
If you know business owners, each company program buys only from companies that fit its own list, and an introduction made through one buyer's link goes to that buyer alone. The Origin partner program works differently: Origin values the company's records and introduces it to buyers, so the owner can compare more than one. Before introducing anyone, read what company data AI companies buy and the company data buyers compared table.
Advisers have extra rules. Origin's partner terms say fees apply only where your role allows them under your professional rules and client agreements; lawyers and accountants should check their own disclosure duties. See the guide for advisors.
Next step
The Origin partner program pays 50% of what Origin earns on the deal for a company you introduced, up to $100,000 per company, paid after the deal completes, when the buyer has accepted the records and made the payment due under the deal; the share is paid within 30 days after that, or after each instalment. An introduction is credited to the first partner who registers it, for 12 months from the date it is registered, and the amount is confirmed in writing before the company signs.
Origin Data Partners works with companies that own data and helps get it bought. We are independent of the services on this page, and a buyer may pay us when a deal closes (how Origin is paid). See what your data is worth.
Know a company with years of records? Introduce it to Origin and earn up to $100K when a deal closes.
Common questions
What is a referral partner program in AI data?
A program run by an AI data buyer for people who introduce a company that licenses its records, or a skilled person who does paid AI training work. You share a personal link, and the buyer decides whether the company or person qualifies.
Which companies do AI data referral programs look for?
Each buyer sets its own list. Handshake AI looks for 20+ full-time staff and 3+ years in operation, micro1 for 30+ full-time staff and mostly English records with US companies first, and Scale AI prefers 40+ staff.
Can I take part in a referral program without working for the company?
Yes. micro1 says anyone over 18 can refer companies, and Mercor says you do not need to be employed by Mercor to take part. Both require you to use your own link and not present yourself as their staff.
How is the Origin partner program different from a buyer's program?
Origin is not a buyer. It is an independent data partner that values company records and introduces buyers. Its partner program pays 50% of what Origin earns on the deal, up to $100,000 per company, paid after the deal completes.
Does the person I refer earn less?
Replay says its fee is paid on top of what the company receives, never out of it. The other programs we read do not say either way, so ask the buyer before you introduce anyone.
Sources and further reading
- Mercor Data: refer a company
- Mercor: monetize your data
- Mercor talent docs: referral policy and FAQs
- micro1: refer a company
- micro1: referral program for experts
- Turing: Project Lazarus
- AfterQuery: data partnerships
- AfterQuery: refer a company
- Scale AI: data partnerships
- Handshake AI: refer a company
- Handshake AI Help Center: referring someone to the fellowship
- Handshake AI Help Center: fellowship referral program terms
- Turing Knowledge Base: how to get paid (referrals)
- Turing Knowledge Base: status of my referrals
- Outlier: FAQ
- Replay: referrals
- BizBuyData by Mode: refer a company
- Pangea: referral partner program for code licensing