Fueling Innovation: A Guide to Voice AI Startup Programs Offering Credits and Discounts
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Voice AI startups are getting the VIP treatment, credits, discounts, and tech perks from top companies to help them build the next big thing.
See below for the coolest Voice AI startup programs and what you can snag!
| Company | What you get | Who is it for | Get it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telnyx (extra deal) | Apply now to qualify for up to $20k in exclusive credits and gain access to industry-leading tools for building and scaling your applications. | For startups requiring embedded communication or connectivity. Typically aimed at early-stage companies, especially those in accelerators, incubators, or seed-stage venture funds. Application review required. No strict funding/employee cut-off published, but must demonstrate a relevant use case. | Apply Here |
| Deepgram | Up to $100,000 in credits for speech recognition and other voice AI capabilities to be used over 12 months. Participants also gain access to a network of over 100 other startups and builders. | Must be an early-stage startup (Series B or younger, less than $10M raised), have a free Deepgram account, and be actively building or planning to launch a product within 6 months. Active community engagement is expected | Apply Here |
| ElevenLabs | Provides 11 million text characters per month for the first three months to startups with fewer than 25 employees. After the grant period, participants can convert to a discounted enterprise plan. | Open to startups or companies with fewer than 25 employees at the time of grant. One application per company. Must provide a business email and agree to display “ElevenLabs Grants” logo on website. Not for existing enterprise customers | Apply Here |
| AssemblyAI | Offers up to $100,000 in free credits for their speech-to-text API, access to the latest features, and a connection to a global community of innovators. | Must be Series B or younger, with less than $10M raised. Must have an operational product or a scheduled release within 4 months. Application reviewed within 2-3 business days. | Apply Here |
| Murf | Provides early-stage startups with 50 million free text-to-speech API credits for a three-month period. | Company must be under 10 years old, fewer than 100 employees, have a fully functioning website, and demonstrate a valid use case for the Murf API. Not for resellers or non-compliant uses. One-time offer. | Apply Here |
| Vatis Tech | Offers the equivalent of 1,000 hours of speech-to-text processing over a three-month period for early-stage companies with up to 20 employees. | For early-stage companies with up to 20 employees. Must demonstrate an innovative use case involving voice AI. | Apply Here |
| Hume AI | This program provides unlimited access to their Empathic Voice Interface (EVI) for three months for startups from pre-seed to Series B. | Early-stage startups (pre-seed to Series B), must have a clear use case for empathic voice AI, and have not previously received a Hume AI grant. Must commit to integrating EVI within 3 months and provide feedback. | Apply Here |
| Vapi (extra deal) | Offers 90,000 free minutes (7,500 per month for 12 months), dedicated Slack support, and priority feature access for startups building voice AI products. | For startups building voice AI products. Eligibility criteria apply; not all applicants are guaranteed acceptance. | Apply Here |
| Google Cloud | While not exclusively for voice AI, this program offers significant resources that can be leveraged for voice applications, including up to $350,000 in cloud credits over two years for AI-focused startups. | Not exclusively for voice AI. Typically for funded startups (varies by region/partner), must apply through Google for Startups or a partner accelerator. | Apply Here |
| DevRev | This program for early-stage startups provides up to $10,000 in credits for their conversational AI platform for 12 months, along with a 50% discount on the subsequent year. | For early-stage startups. Must demonstrate a use case for conversational AI. | Apply Here |
| AI/ML API | Provides up to $4,000 in credits for use across various AI models, including text, image, video, and music, with a 90% discount for the first six months. | For early-stage startups with a clear AI use case. Application required. | Apply Here |
| YOUR COMPANY | If you want to be listed here : | CONTACT US HERE |
(programs content may be subject to change)
Maximizing Your Voice AI Startup Program Opportunity
Securing a spot in a Voice AI startup program is a significant milestone, but the real value lies in strategically leveraging the resources provided. To make the most of this opportunity, prioritize a clear plan that aligns the program’s benefits with your core business objectives. Don’t view the credits as free money, but as a crucial runway to experiment, refine your product, and find your market fit without the immediate pressure of significant cash burn.
Here are key pieces of advice to maximize your benefits:
- Strategic Credit Consumption: Before you start using your credits, map out a clear budget and timeline. Focus your spending on activities that directly contribute to growth, such as rapid prototyping, testing different voice models, and scaling your user base. Avoid the common pitfall of using credits for non-essential tasks or without a clear return on investment.
- Go Beyond the Credits: These programs are more than just a financial boost; they are an entry point into a valuable ecosystem. Actively participate in networking events, workshops, and mentorship sessions. Building relationships with other founders, industry experts, and the program’s team can lead to invaluable insights, potential partnerships, and future funding opportunities.
- Plan for the Long Term: The credits won’t last forever. Use the program’s duration to build a sustainable business model. This includes optimizing your cloud infrastructure for cost-efficiency and developing a clear strategy for post-program funding and revenue generation. Some startups “ladder” their credit usage, exhausting one provider’s credits before moving to the next, which can extend their runway but requires careful planning for potential cloud migrations.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Negotiate: The terms of these programs aren’t always set in stone. Some founders have successfully negotiated for more credits or longer expiration dates by demonstrating strong potential and leveraging competing offers.
By taking a proactive and strategic approach, you can transform these startup programs from a temporary financial relief into a powerful catalyst for long-term success.