"Sure the economy is kicking the crap out of us," says the website for this years Crunchies awards for Web 2.0 startups, overseen by TechCrunch founder Mike Arrington. But don't let that stop you from spending $25,000 to be an official Co-Host for the event, a posh dress-up bash to be held at San Francisco's Herbst Theater in January. Or, for $15,000, you can sponsor one of the 15 award categories. I crashed the afterparty last year and, really, it was fun. But $25K? I'm dying to find out what this year's sponsors actually end up paying. Here's the official price list:

1. Crunchies Co-Hosts― elite status; limit 4 sponsors Price: $25,000 Benefits: • Top-level branding on the Crunchies 2008 Awards site and announcements by the 4 co-host blogs. Corporate description on Crunchies 2008 Award website • Top-level branding at the ceremony (which will be live streamed on the Internet) and After-Party. • Company executive will be introduced onstage and may introduce one of the main awards ceremony segments (special video/content, entertainment, etc.) – see potential options below. Sponsorship of one of the main Crunchies Awards events or content/entertainment segment; could include the awards ceremony, after-party co-host, main music/entertainment sponsor, exclusive coverage of the red carpet arrivals (official press line for award winners after the awards). • Top representation in official Crunchies Awards press release. All 4 hosts of the awards ceremony will collaborate to invite top industry press and broadcast media. Press list will be made available. • 8 tickets to awards ceremony and after-party 2. Award Benefactors — limit 15 sponsors Price: $15,000 Benefits: • Sponsorship of one of the 15 award categories (choose your preferred category from the list below; provided on first-come, first-served basis). • Company executive will help announce the award-category winner. Includes sponsor brand on the presented award; on-stage screen display of winner name with award sponsor brand; and, photo shoot and media spotlight with winners immediately following the ceremony. • Award-level branding on the Crunchies Awards site and announcements by the 4 co-host blogs. Corporate description on Crunchies 2008 Award website. • Award-level branding at the ceremony (which will be live streamed on the Internet) and After-Party. • Award-level recognition in awards ceremony press releases. Press list available. • 6 tickets to the awards ceremony and after-party • Crunchies 2008 awards categories (based on availability): • Best technology innovation / achievement Recognition for best new technology achievement or breakthrough • Best bootstrapped start-up Company may not have raised more than $100k from individuals, angels or others • Best new gadget / device For the best new Internet-accessible electronics device launched in 2008 • Best design Recognition for best user-interface design • Best enterprise start-up For a start-up focused on enterprise or business-to-business applications and services • Best mobile start-up For companies who provide mobile content or mobile distribution platforms • Best international start-up To recognize start-up achievement outside the United States (company must be founded, headquartered & operated primarily outside the US) • Best clean tech start-up For companies focused on environmentally conscious technology applications • Best app For the best application on third-party platform(s) • Best time sink site Favorite site to use when you’re not working or not wanting to think about work • Most likely to make the world a better place To recognize a site that is making an important social impact in the world. Site does not need to be a non-profit to qualify. • Best start-up founder Award to recognize an exemplary start-up business founder in 2008 • Best start-up ceo Award to recognize an exemplary start-up business ceo in 2008 • Best new start-up of 2008 Product must have launched in 2008 • Best overall For the best overall company, site or product of 2008 3. Program Sponsors― unlimited spots available; ceremony seating available until capacity is full Price: $10,000+; TBD based on specific program scope/definition Benefits: • Options: Exclusive branding opportunity for a special feature of the awards ceremony or after-party reception (such as special content, music, photography, video/podcasts, entertainment, games, signature toast, signature drink, branded décor/displays, raffles, etc.) Sponsor may recommend incorporating their own product/service into the evening’s activities if it fits with the overall theme/objective of the event; product use is subject to approval by the Crunchies Committee. • Program-level branding and corporate description on Crunchies 2008 Award website, ceremony and after-party. • Recognition in awards ceremony press releases. Press list available. • 4 tickets to the awards ceremony and after-party. 4. Product Sponsors— unlimited spots available; ceremony seating available until capacity is full Price: $5,000 • Demo table at Crunchies after-party. Company signage, skirted table, Internet connection and power will be supplied. • Product-level branding and corporate description on Crunchies 2008 Award website, ceremony and after-party. • Sponsors may distribute corporate schwag and/or other marketing materials at the exit of the after-party. • Press list available • 2 tickets to the awards ceremony + 4 tickets to the after-party 5. Ceremony Patrons— unlimited spots available (contributions will be shut down when seating capacity is full) Price: $250 — $2,500 • Contributors will be listed by monetary category on Crunchies 2008 Award website, as well as awards ceremony and after-party signage. • Company logo, URL and up to 30-word business description will be listed on the Crunchies Awards website to recognize your efforts to help underwrite and support the event. • 1 ticket to the awards ceremony and after-party per $250. Additional passes to the after-party (number based on contribution amount).