AssemblyAI
AssemblyAI Startup Program
12 months of recurring free AssemblyAI credits plus startup pricing for voice and audio startups, bootstrapped to Series A.
Ways to get it
Apply directly
Recurring credits for 12 months + startup pricing
- Bootstrapped through Series A
- Building a product with voice or audio at its core
- In production or launching within 6 months
Via AssemblyAI partner VCs and accelerators (e.g. Accel, Y Combinator)
Via VC or accelerator partner
Same program, fast-tracked (decision within about 48 hours)
- Portfolio company of a partner VC or accelerator
Partner portfolio companies are fast-tracked. The page doesn't say they get more credits.
Open program page
Eligibility
Requirements
- Bootstrapped through Series A
- Building a product with speech or audio at its core
- In production or launching within the next six months
Not eligible
- Companies past Series A
- Discounted startup pricing does not apply to LLM Gateway
How to apply
- 1
Open assemblyai.com/contact/startup-program and complete the short application: what you're building, your stage and your investors. No deck is needed.
- 2
If you're backed by a partner VC or accelerator such as Accel or Y Combinator, say so to get the fast track (a decision within about 48 hours). Other applicants hear back within a week.
- 3
After approval, credits appear in your AssemblyAI console within 48 hours.
- 4
Your Forward Deployed Engineer should reach out in the first week.
Gotchas
- AssemblyAI doesn't publish the credit amount. You find out on approval.
- Credits are described as recurring over 12 months, so ask how much arrives each period.
- Credits and discounts cover core voice infrastructure. The startup discount does not apply to LLM Gateway.
- You must be in production or launching within six months to qualify.
About the AssemblyAI program
The AssemblyAI Startup Program gives early-stage voice AI startups 12 months of recurring free credits and discounted startup pricing. It also includes hands-on help from AssemblyAI's Forward Deployed Engineers, co-marketing opportunities and access to its builder community. The credits are a fixed amount that works on AssemblyAI's core voice infrastructure, including the pre-recorded and streaming Speech-to-text APIs and the Dictation API. AssemblyAI does not publish the amount.
The program is for startups from bootstrapped through Series A that are building products with voice or audio at their core and are in production or launching within six months. The application is short: what you're building, your stage and who backs you, with no deck required. Reviews take up to a week. Portfolio companies of partner VCs and accelerators, including Accel and Y Combinator, are fast-tracked and should get a decision within 48 hours.
Credits land in your console within 48 hours of approval. When they run out, startup discounts continue and standard pricing phases in gradually, with no migration and no cliff. The discounted pricing does not apply to AssemblyAI's LLM Gateway.
Frequently asked questions
How many free credits does AssemblyAI give startups?
AssemblyAI doesn't publish a figure. Accepted startups get a fixed credit amount that recurs for 12 months, plus discounted startup pricing that continues after the credits run out.
Who is eligible for the AssemblyAI Startup Program?
Startups from bootstrapped through Series A that are building products with voice or audio and launching within the next six months.
What do AssemblyAI startup credits cover?
Core voice AI infrastructure, including the Speech-to-text API, the Streaming speech-to-text API and the Dictation API. Discounted pricing does not apply to LLM Gateway.
