LiveKit, a startup developing real-time voice AI infrastructure software, has raised $100 million in funding at a $1 billion valuation, TechCrunch reported on Jan. 22.
Index Ventures led the funding round. Existing investors including Altimeter Capital Management, Hanabi Capital and Redpoint Ventures also participated.
Founded in 2021, LiveKit provides infrastructure that supports OpenAI's ChatGPT voice mode. It has secured customers including Tesla, Salesforce and xAI, as well as 911 emergency services and mental health providers.
LiveKit began as an open-source software project for real-time audio and video streaming during the pandemic. As the AI voice market grew, it shifted toward providing enterprise cloud services.
CEO Russ D'Sa said, "AI voice is not just an interface but a new productivity tool," and stressed that the goal is to help companies develop customised AI voices. LiveKit worked with Tesla to introduce AI voice for vehicles and is working on various projects including an AI to support reading for people with visual impairments, TechCrunch reported.
Chi-gyu Hwang
delight@d-today.co.kr