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LiveKit startup program: $23K for realtime voice, video and physical AI

Open applicationLast verified 15 October 2026

Credit amount (provider's words)

Up to $23K: $6,000 (1 yr Cloud Scale) + $10,000 Cloud credits + $7,000 inference partner credits

As stated by LiveKit; not a guarantee. LiveKit decides who is approved.

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The LiveKit startup program is for early-stage teams whose product is built on realtime voice, video or physical AI. It bundles up to $23K: one year of LiveKit Cloud Scale ($6,000), $10,000 in Cloud credits and $7,000 in inference credits with partner models. It targets teams under 50 people that have raised under $5M and are pre–Series A.

LiveKit for Startups is for early-stage teams whose product is built on realtime voice, video or physical AI. It gives a free year of LiveKit Cloud Scale, extra Cloud credits and inference credits with partner models. YC-backed companies use a separate offer.

What you get

  • $6,000: one year of Cloud Scale ($500/month fee waived), including hosted agents, observability and telephony
  • $10,000 in additional LiveKit Cloud credits
  • $7,000 in inference credits: $1K with each participating partner (Deepgram, Inworld, Rime, Fish Audio, AssemblyAI, Gradium, and LiveKit-hosted Gemma)
  • Scale plan pricing for STT/TTS and BAA availability for healthcare use

Eligibility

  • Voice, video or physical AI is core to your product
  • Fewer than 50 employees
  • Under $5M raised and pre–Series A ($5M+ reviewed case by case)
  • A live website with a publicly identifiable founding team; building for real end users; incorporated or incorporating; in production or launching within 6 months
  • Built for net-new projects; teams already paying or on contract may be declined

How the LiveKit startup program works

Credit types and validity

  • $6,000: one year of Cloud Scale ($500/month fee waived), incl. hosted agents, observability and telephony
  • $10,000 in LiveKit Cloud credits
  • $7,000 inference credits: $1K each with Deepgram, Inworld, Rime, Fish Audio, AssemblyAI, Gradium and LiveKit-hosted Gemma
  • Scale-plan STT/TTS pricing and BAA availability

How the credits are applied and when they expire

Complete the 4-step application at livekit.com/startups (no deck). If approved you get a promo code by email; start a Cloud Scale plan, add a card on file and enter the code at checkout. Credits expire 12 months from issue or when used up, don't roll over, and Cloud and inference credits aren't interchangeable.

For founders in India

No India-specific terms published. A card on file is required to enrol.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Go to livekit.com/startups and click 'Apply now'
  2. Complete the 4-step application (no pitch deck required)
  3. LiveKit reviews it against the criteria; if approved, you receive a promo code by email
  4. Start a Cloud Scale plan, add a card on file, and enter the promo code at checkout to load the credits

Documents and details to keep ready

  • A live company website with named founders
  • A card on file (required to enrol)
  • No pitch deck required

Common reasons applications are declined

  • Voice, video or physical AI not core to the product
  • 50 or more employees, or $5M+ raised / post–Series A (reviewed case by case)
  • No live website with a publicly identifiable founding team
  • Already paying LiveKit or on contract (may be declined)

Tips before you apply

  • Make sure your website names the founding team before applying
  • YC-backed? Use livekit.com/yc instead — the two offers can't be combined
  • Spread inference work across partners: each $1K is per partner and not interchangeable with Cloud credits

Terms to know

  • Credits expire 12 months from issue or when used up, whichever comes first; unused credits do not roll over
  • Cloud credits and inference credits are separate and not interchangeable
  • YC-backed companies apply at livekit.com/yc; the two offers can't be combined

Frequently asked questions

What does the LiveKit startup program include?

One year of Cloud Scale ($6,000), $10,000 in Cloud credits and $7,000 in partner inference credits — up to $23K in total.

Who is eligible?

Teams where voice, video or physical AI is core, with fewer than 50 employees, under $5M raised and pre–Series A, a live website with identifiable founders, and in production or launching within 6 months.

Do LiveKit credits expire?

Yes, 12 months from issue or when used up, whichever comes first. Unused credits don't roll over.

Do I need a pitch deck?

No. The 4-step application does not require one.

I'm a YC company — which offer applies?

YC-backed companies apply at livekit.com/yc; it can't be combined with the startup program.

Checked against LiveKit's own pages on 15 October 2026. Official sources:

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