LiveKit Startup Program: Up to $23,000
Build voice agents that answer calls & respond in realtime. LiveKit handles the audio, video and agent connections.
A year of the Scale plan free, plus Cloud & inference credits
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Put the package toward your first production voice agent, from handling calls to testing speech models.
Take your voice agent from a demo to live calls
A convincing demo is the start. Your voice agent also needs to connect to users, handle live audio & run the conversation as it happens. LiveKit provides realtime infrastructure for voice, video and physical AI applications.
The startup programme helps cover that infrastructure while you bring the product into production. It combines a Scale platform fee waiver, Cloud usage credits & credits for selected inference models. Each part pays for a different portion of the service.
What is included in the $23,000 package?
| Scale platform fees | $6,000 in savings: the $500 monthly platform fee waived for 12 months. |
|---|---|
| LiveKit Cloud usage | $10,000 for usage beyond plan allowances, including agent sessions, media & data transfer, telephony and observability. |
| Inference | $7,000 across 7 separate $1,000 allocations: AssemblyAI, Deepgram, Fish Audio, Gemma, Gradium, Inworld & Rime. |
| Credit lifetime | 12 months from issuance, or until consumed. Unused credits do not roll over. |
| InnMind access | Free with any InnMind account. LiveKit reviews applications. |
The 3 parts are separate balances. The Scale waiver cannot pay for usage, and each inference allocation is separate. You use the partner models through LiveKit Inference, with no separate accounts at those providers.
Where a founder can use the credits
Launch a phone-based assistant. Connect callers to an agent for a defined job, such as answering product questions or handling an intake conversation. Use Cloud credits toward the realtime sessions & telephony.
Test the conversation experience. Compare supported speech models on your own conversations. The separate inference allocations give your team room to test how different choices affect the experience.
Bring a realtime product into production. Build around live audio, video or physical AI interactions while the Scale fee waiver reduces the fixed platform cost.
Who qualifies & how to apply
The programme is for startups with fewer than 50 employees, before Series A & under $5M raised. LiveKit may review companies above the funding cap case by case.
- Voice, video or physical AI must be core to the product.
- The product must be in production or targeting launch within 6 months.
- The company must be incorporated or incorporating, with a public website that identifies its founders.
Teams evaluating LiveKit on the free plan can apply. Existing paid or contracted projects may be declined.
- Open this deal in the InnMind app. Sign in or create a free account, then return to the perk.
- Click Access Perk to reach the programme. Submit your company details, product & launch plans.
- If approved, use the code from LiveKit’s email at Scale checkout. Enrolment requires a payment card.
- Check the issuance date and track Cloud & inference balances separately.
Good to know before you enrol
Budget for usage beyond the included allowances & available credits, and for the Scale fee after the waiver ends. Use LiveKit’s current pricing to estimate those costs.
The general startup package cannot be combined with LiveKit’s separate YC offer. If both are relevant, compare your applicable terms before redeeming.
Source: LiveKit startup programme & FAQ. Terms checked on 27 October 2026.
Reduce development costs alongside your voice infrastructure
The LiveKit deal is free with any InnMind account. Paid plans open the partner deals, including $10,000 in GitHub credits for up to 12 months, which also cover Copilot for your team. That 1 perk covers the cost of your InnMind membership several times over.
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Questions founders ask
How do I get LiveKit startup credits?
Open the LiveKit perk in InnMind, create a free account or sign in, then click Access Perk to apply. If LiveKit approves your startup, it emails a code to use at Scale checkout.
Is the full $23,000 available for Cloud usage?
No. The package combines a $6,000 Scale platform fee waiver, $10,000 in Cloud usage credits and $7,000 across separate inference allocations. These balances are not interchangeable.
When do the LiveKit credits expire?
Credits run for 12 months from issuance or until consumed, with no rollover. The Scale platform fee waiver also lasts 12 months.
Can I apply while using the free plan?
Yes. Free-plan teams evaluating LiveKit can apply if they meet the startup criteria. Existing paid or contracted projects may be declined.
Do I need a payment card?
Yes. LiveKit requires a card when you enrol on Scale after approval. Review pricing for usage beyond your allowances & credits.
Can I use the programme for a healthcare product?
Yes. LiveKit offers a BAA on request to Scale customers handling protected health information, so ask for it when you enrol.
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