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AssemblyAI vs Deepgram: startup credits compared

Side-by-side amounts, eligibility and access paths, both verified against the official program pages.

At a glance

FactAssemblyAIDeepgram
Value12 months of recurring free credits + startup pricing (amount not published)$1,000 starter credits, tiers up to $100,000 (12 months)
TypeCreditsCredits
Duration1 year1 year
StagesPre-seed, Seed, Series A, BootstrappedPre-seed, Seed, Series A, Bootstrapped
RegionsGlobalGlobal
Max funding raisedNot statedNot stated
Max company ageNot statedNot stated
Ways to get it
  • Apply directly — Recurring credits for 12 months + startup pricing
  • AssemblyAI partner VCs and accelerators (e.g. Accel, Y Combinator) — Same program, fast-tracked (decision within about 48 hours)
  • Apply directly — $1,000 to start, tiers up to $100,000
  • Deepgram VC, accelerator and startup-network partners — Enhanced offer listed on your partner's perks page
Requirements
  • Bootstrapped through Series A
  • Building a product with speech or audio at its core
  • In production or launching within the next six months
  • AI builder or early-stage startup building its own voice AI product
  • In production or launching within the next 6 months
  • Committed to building and engaging with Deepgram's startup community
  • More than $10M raised is reviewed case by case
Not eligible
  • Companies past Series A
  • Discounted startup pricing does not apply to LLM Gateway
  • Agencies and consultants building on behalf of clients
VerificationPartially verified· Nov 4, 2026Verified· Nov 4, 2026

Which should you pick?

The two programs are not directly comparable on dollar value. Both accept the same range of funding stages. Note that only Deepgram is fully verified against its official page; double-check the other before relying on it. If you qualify for both, there is usually no reason not to apply to both; the programs are independent.