Build voice products that work for everyone
Powered by the best ears in AI.
Speechmatics' Startup Program gives early-stage founders access to world-class voice AI built on a simple belief: every voice deserves to be understood.
✅ $50,000+ in credits
✅ Technical guidance
✅ Fast-track to market
Enabling 100,000+ developers with leading speech recognition
Pairing LiveKit’s flexible agent framework with Speechmatics to build world-class agentsEnabling 100,000+ developers with leading speech recognition
Pairing LiveKit’s flexible agent framework with Speechmatics to build world-class agentsJoin our startup community
We support early-stage companies building production-grade voice AI.
Voice-first vision
Speech is core to your product, not merely a feature.
Early stage with traction
Typically under $10M raised, tackling problems worth solving.
Technically ambitious
You're going beyond the transcript - leveraging advanced capabilities like speaker diarization, custom dictionary, and real-time intelligence.
Global and mission-led
Building for the world, not just the easy markets - expanding access, underserved users, high-impact use cases.
How it works
How it works
Start quickly, build confidently, and scale with expert support.

Step 1: Apply
Tell us about your product and team. We review on a rolling basis and aim to respond within a few days.

Step 2: Build
Credits activate immediately upon approval. Tap into office hours, docs, and developer support as you go.

Step 3: Scale
Grow with co-marketing support, expert guidance, and preferred pricing as you expand.
Ready to build?
Apply now to join the next cohort and start building with the best ears in AI.
Startup Program FAQs
What are the eligibility requirements?
What are the eligibility requirements?
Your company must meet this criteria:
Raised less than $10 million total
Functional MVP in production or committed launch within 1-2 months
Not currently on a paid Speechmatics enterprise plan
Active development team
Defined ASR use case
Bonus eligibility - regulated industries (healthcare, finance, legal), underrepresented languages, accessibility focus
Our team will join you on a 30-mins call to understand your use case and mission prior to making a decision
Can we use credits for any Speechmatics product?
Can we use credits for any Speechmatics product?
Yes - batch, real-time, text-to-speech, even on-prem. Build with whatever fits your architecture.
What if we're already using another provider?
What if we're already using another provider?
Perfect. We'll help you migrate. Our accuracy speaks for itself.
How selective is the program?
How selective is the program?
We cap at 20 startups per cohort to ensure quality support. We look for clear product-market fit potential, defined use cases for ASR, and founders who ship.
What if I haven't launched my product yet?
What if I haven't launched my product yet?
You should still apply as long as you have a MVP/prototype ready for demo and a plan to get it into market within the next 1-2 months.
I'm part of an accelerator/VC portfolio. Can my startups apply?
I'm part of an accelerator/VC portfolio. Can my startups apply?
Absolutely. We work with accelerators and VCs to support their portfolios. Reach out to startups@speechmatics.com to discuss batch applications or special terms for your portfolio companies.
What if I'm building for regulated industries?
What if I'm building for regulated industries?
Perfect fit. Many successful program participants work in healthcare, finance, and legal. Our On-Prem option lets you maintain complete data control for compliance requirements.
What kind of support do I get?
What kind of support do I get?
Onboarding session to get you started with a Solutions Engineer, monthly office hours with our engineering team and experts, access to our startup member community, priority support channel via Slack, and beta access to new features.
Can existing Speechmatics customers apply?
Can existing Speechmatics customers apply?
Yes, as long as you're not already on a paid enterprise plan. If you're on our free or pro tiers, you're eligible to apply.
What if I've raised more than $10M?
What if I've raised more than $10M?
If you've exceeded our funding threshold but are just getting started with voice AI, we encourage you to apply and explain your circumstances. We're open to exceptions for compelling use cases.
What happens after the Startup Program finishes?
What happens after the Startup Program finishes?
Graduate startups receive highly discounted enterprise pricing packages.
