Shining a Spotlight on Builders: Announcing Twilio's AI Startup Searchlight 2025

Shining a Spotlight on Builders: Announcing Twilio's AI Startup Searchlight 2025

At Twilio, we’ve always believed that the future of communications belongs to the bold – the builders using data, communications, and emerging technologies like AI to create remarkable, human-centric experiences. That’s why we’re excited to announce Twilio's AI Startup Searchlight 2025.

The Twilio AI Startup Searchlight program, now in its third year (see the 2023 and 2024 cohorts here), is Twilio’s celebration of startups that are exploring new approaches to communications and customer engagement using emerging technologies. These startups are building the future alongside Twilio, by innovating with Generative AI, AI agents, LLMs, and platform integrations.

How to apply: Is your startup ready?

If you’re building something better for business, for people, or for the future – this program is for you.

1. Sign up for a Twilio, SendGrid, or Segment account (if you haven’t yet).

2. Show a working demo of your solution using Twilio APIs (SMS, Voice, Email, WhatsApp, Conversations, Segment, or Video) combined with emerging technologies such as Generative AI, AI Agents, LLMs, platforms and more.

3. Make sure you qualify: Your startup must have raised less than $200M in venture funding.

4. Apply by September 5, 2025: Submit your application here.

   • Nominations close: September 5, 2025

   • Judging: Late September – Mid October 2025

   • Honorees announced: Mid–Late November 2025

Why enter? What honorees receive

The Twilio AI Startup Searchlight features forward-thinking builders who want more than recognition… They want resources that enable them to keep building. This year, 20 honorees will receive:

• Up to $10,000 in Twilio credits to help power and scale your product;

• Up to $2,500 in OpenAI API credits;

• A Ramp gift card worth up to $5,000;

• Recognition across Twilio’s channels and a feature with a leading tech media outlet;

• An exclusive 1:1 session with Twilio Ventures: pitch and get feedback that could unlock the path to future investment;

• Opportunities for future Twilio co-marketing to help amplify your brand.

Who should apply?

We’re looking for startups that:

• Use Twilio’s platform and emerging technologies (e.g., Generative AI, AI Agents, LLMs, and platform) in original ways across channels to creatively engage and support users

• Have a live product or a working, functional demo

• Have raised less than $200M in funding

No matter your industry – health, fintech, retail, logistics, social impact – if you’re driven to make customer engagement smarter and more human, we want to hear from you.

Meet the judges: By Builders, for Builders

A panel of leaders from across technology and venture will help select this year’s most impactful startups:

Twilio Judges

• Mark Simms, Chief Technology Officer

• Chris Koehler, Chief Marketing Officer

• Zachary Hanif, Head of AI

• Rikki Singh, VP of R&D for Emerging Technologies

• Pat Hession, VP of Engineering for Voice & Video

External Judges

• Olivia Moore, AI Partner, Andreessen Horowitz

• Marc Manara, Head of Startups, OpenAI

• Charles Wang, Go-to-Market Account Director, OpenAI

Inspiration from past honorees

Last year’s honorees – 11x, Alpharun, Althea Health, Appella AI, curaJOY, Elaitra AI, Elythea, Fiado App, Frame AI, Goodcall AI, GAIL, meiti GmbH, Paradox, Spoke Phone, Storii, Symbl.ai – are shaping the future of digital health, personalized communication, customer service, and so much more, all through the power of Twilio and emerging technologies (e.g., Generative AI, AI Agents, LLMs, and platform) and Twilio.

Explore our 2024 honorees in depth here.

Build the future with Twilio

Twilio invites everyone with the drive to build – whether you call yourself a developer, founder, product leader, innovator, entrepreneur, or anything else – to help unlock the future of customer engagement. Your work powers real change, and there’s never been a better time to build with us.

Don’t just imagine what’s possible. Build it. Step into the Searchlight. 

Apply now to Twilio’s AI Startup Searchlight Awards 2025