Amid the wave of generative AI, not only the model layer has attracted attention, but the "underlying pipeline" that supports real-time interaction is also undergoing a revaluation of its value. According to AIbase, the startup LiveKit, which provides foundational infrastructure software for real-time AI voice and video applications, recently announced that it has successfully raised $100 million in new funding. After this round of financing, the company's valuation officially reached $1 billion, entering the ranks of unicorns.

This round of financing was led by Index Ventures, with existing investors including Altimeter Capital Management, Hanabi Capital, and Redpoint Ventures participating. Notably, this is only 10 months after its previous round of financing, and the company's valuation growth has been remarkable.

LiveKit's core competitiveness lies in its powerful real-time transmission capabilities. Currently, the company is best known as a partner of OpenAI, with its technology directly driving the highly praised "Advanced Voice Mode" of ChatGPT. In addition to OpenAI, LiveKit's client list includes xAI by Elon Musk, Salesforce, Tesla, and even extends into scenarios with extremely strict latency requirements such as 911 emergency services and mental health counseling.

The company, founded in 2021, originally started as an open-source project aimed at addressing issues such as disconnection and latency during video conferences in the pandemic. As voice AI exploded, co-founders Russ d’Sa and David Zhao quickly identified the needs of the enterprise market and rapidly transitioned from a pure development tool to a provider of cloud-hosted services. Today, LiveKit has become an indispensable infrastructure in the field of real-time AI interaction, helping more developers build seamless audio and video AI experiences.