AssemblyAI Startup Program 🎁 Program

What you get

Accepted startups get 12 months of recurring free credits and discounted startup pricing, access to AssemblyAI's latest features, co-marketing opportunities and a global community of voice AI builders. The credits work on the Speech-to-Text API, Streaming Speech-to-Text API and Dictation API.

Who qualifies

Early-stage startups from bootstrapped to Series A that build products with speech or audio at their core and are in production or launching within the next six months.

Good to know

• The page describes "a fixed credit amount" but does not state its size in dollars or hours.
• Discounted pricing does not apply to the LLM Gateway.
• When your credits run out, startup discounts continue and standard pricing phases in gradually, with no migration.
• Applications take minutes, need no deck, and are reviewed within one week. Portfolio companies of partner VCs and accelerators, including Accel and Y Combinator, are fast-tracked with decisions in 48 hours.
• Credits land in your console within 48 hours of approval.

How to get the most from it

Run your own audio samples through the API before applying so you can describe your use case and expected monthly volume in the form. Credits are recurring monthly, so plan for steady usage over the 12 months rather than one large backfill job.

Verdict

A practical choice for transcription-heavy products, especially because the discount continues after the credits end. Ask for the exact credit amount before you plan your budget around it.

1. Open https://www.assemblyai.com/startup-program and start the short application.
2. Say what you are building, your stage and who backs you (no deck needed).
3. Wait for review (within one week; 48 hours for partner VC and accelerator portfolio companies).
4. Credits land in your console within 48 hours of approval.