Is Vapi for Startups accepting applications?
Not right now, going by Vapi's own page. The apply button on vapi.ai/startups reads APPLICATIONS ON HOLD and is switched off, and the page gives no date for reopening.
Vapi describes the program as a startup grant program that provides “the resources, support, and infrastructure you need to build exceptional voice experiences without worrying about costs.”
Even when it is open, meeting the qualification criteria does not guarantee acceptance. The pricing page below is what any new account gets today without applying.
Source: Vapi for Startups page (vapi.ai/startups)
Is there a Vapi promo code or coupon?
Vapi publishes no promo or coupon code on its startup page, its pricing page or its billing docs. What it publishes is the startup program's free minutes and, for any new account, $5 in free credits.
Vapi's billing docs describe credits as prepaid funds in US dollars: you pick a preset or custom amount under Buy credits in the Dashboard, and a minimum purchase applies.
If the balance reaches $0 and auto-reload is off, Vapi freezes the subscription until you buy more credits.
Source: Vapi pricing page (vapi.ai/pricing), Vapi billing docs (docs.vapi.ai/billing/manage-billing-and-credits)
How many free minutes does Vapi for Startups give?
7,500 free minutes per month for 12 months, which Vapi counts as 90,000 free minutes in total. Vapi's page says regular users get 100 minutes.
Vapi's FAQ says: “If you exceed your 90,000 free minutes, our sales team will be in touch to partner with you for your future success.” You get notifications as you approach your limit, and after the 12 months Vapi's sales team works with you to move to a plan that fits.
The startup page's 100 minutes for regular users differs from the pricing page, read the same day, which lists $5 in free credits for new accounts. Go by the pricing page for a new account.
What the startup program includes, per Vapi's page
- 7,500 free minutes per month for 12 months
- A private Slack channel with Vapi's forward-deployed engineers
- Early access to new features and a direct line for feedback and feature requests
- Access to an exclusive community of voice AI innovators
Source: Vapi for Startups page (vapi.ai/startups), Vapi pricing page (vapi.ai/pricing)
Who qualifies for the Vapi startup grant?
Pre-seed to Series A startups that have raised at least $250K and are building voice AI products or features. Agencies and consulting firms do not qualify.
Vapi reviews all applications, can approve or decline at its discretion, and does not share the reason for a rejection.
Qualification criteria, per Vapi's page
- Startups building voice AI products or features
- Pre-seed to Series A companies ($250k+ in funding)
- Projects focused on innovative voice applications
- Launching to customers within 6 months
Source: Vapi for Startups page (vapi.ai/startups)
Is Vapi free to start?
Yes, to start. The pricing page lists a usage-only plan at $0 to start with $5 free credits, then pre-paid hosting at $0.05/min with models passed through at cost.
Vapi's docs say you get one free Vapi phone number, which you can create without a saved payment method. Free numbers use US area codes, and only inbound calls are supported.
Usage only (No Success Package), per the pricing page
- $5 free credits to get you started
- 2 organizations, 4 concurrent calls and 1 included Vapi phone number
- 14 days raw data retention
- Peer to peer support via Discord community, and email support without SLA
Source: Vapi pricing page (vapi.ai/pricing), Vapi free phone numbers docs (docs.vapi.ai/free-telephony)
How much does Vapi cost after the free credits?
You pay Vapi's hosting fee of $0.05/min plus the transcriber, model, voice and telephony costs of each call. Optional Success Packages start at $29 a month for Core.
The calculator on the pricing page estimates a monthly total from your minutes and your choice of transcriber, model and voice provider. Vapi's docs say usage-based billing stays active when you add a Success Package.
Optional Success Packages, per the pricing page
- Core: $29 / month, 10 concurrent calls, email support with a 2 business day response SLA
- Pro: 10% of Vapi hosting fee with a $999/mo minimum, 30 concurrent calls, email and dedicated Slack support, 99% uptime SLA
- Premier: custom, direct sales only
Source: Vapi pricing page (vapi.ai/pricing), Vapi pricing and Success Packages docs (docs.vapi.ai/billing/pricing-and-success-packages)
