Introducing the Llama Startup Program

Takes more than a week to fill out a form with 3 text boxes?

Obviously you're meant to have Llama generate your application for you

Is it the AI industry or just VC in general? YC quite famously invests in founders, not ideas. Other accelerators are similar. They start with a pile of money and the vague notion of a startup idea. Usefulness comes later, after however many pivots, before they run out of the pile of money.

The 6k is only for AI cloud hosting.

> Join us for the opportunity to receive cloud reimbursements of up to $6,000 USD per month for up to six months, technical resources, and a vibrant community

It's reimbursement for Llama usage, and Meta is hoping you'll provide feedback on how Llama works for your scenario.

Great question, I'll check on that.

Not that I know of for Llama... but checkout https://forwork.meta.com/meta-for-education/

Do I count as the founder? I use contractors from Eastern Europe to do frontend, does that count?

Overall seems like a very niche offering, considering $6K is peanuts these days. You can get more by applying for any of Microsoft, Google, or Amazon startup programs. MSFT for instance straight up gives > $100K in cloud credits when you are funded (and if not, how do you pay your developer?)

Let me check on that just to be sure.

What is a non-legally incorporated company?

Yes

If you come up with a great idea, then Facebook can either steal it from you or buy you out without them having to spend the funds to test all of the potential options.

Facebook hasn't had a good idea for over a decade (and even that one was trash), so they need a little help now and again.

Meta wants feedback from startups on how Llama can be improved.

Meta doesn't have a business providing straight up API usage. This is a new market, if they can get startups relying on Llama hosting, then there's no reason this can't be a whole new market.

Yes. You will just need to document how much of your OpenRouter bill was for Llama usage (like provide screenshots if its not broken down on your invoices or receipts).

You don’t have to be incorporated for Azure startup program. Sole proprietor LLC works fine. It’s kind of an insane deal… $125k credits for a $150 LLC and a YouTube demo.

What Llama4 model is good in your opinion?

> There is a 700 million monthly active users limit.

...so? Who cares? Why does it matter if big megacorporations cannot use it for free? I sure as hell don't care.

If you want to complain about the license a better target is the annoying advertising clause:

> i. If you distribute or make available the Llama Materials (or any derivative works thereof), or a product or service (including another AI model) that contains any of them, you shall (A) provide a copy of this Agreement with any such Llama Materials; and (B) prominently display “Built with Llama” on a related website, user interface, blogpost, about page, or product documentation. If you use the Llama Materials or any outputs or results of the Llama Materials to create, train, fine tune, or otherwise improve an AI model, which is distributed or made available, you shall also include “Llama” at the beginning of any such AI model name.

Exactly what leads to inaccurate output in LLM's. The semantic interpretation of each individual token isn't the same between us and it. "Interpretation", we likely define accuracy and reliability pretty closely the same you and I, but that interpretation is where we differ. As for my "definition" it's in the repo. I'm not funded by anyone, don't get paid, and have no product to sell. So if you're genuinely interested in discussing, I'm all for it!