Cluely, the “Cheat-Anything” Startup, Lands $15M from a16z

Cluely, a controversial startup making waves by offering tools to seemingly “cheat” on job interviews, exams, and even sales calls, has secured $15 million in Series A funding led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The announcement was made via a video shared on X.

Valuation Buzz

While neither Cluely nor a16z have officially confirmed the post-money valuation, sources close to the deal suggest it’s hovering around $120 million. Cluely CEO Roy Lee has yet to comment on the speculation.

Rapid Growth

This Series A round comes hot on the heels of a $5.3 million seed funding round, co-led by Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures, just two months prior, highlighting the rapid investor interest in the company.

Controversial Origins

The company’s founders, Roy Lee (21) and Neel Shanmugam, gained notoriety after being suspended from Columbia University for developing “Interview Coder,” an AI-powered tool designed to help engineering students ace technical interviews –undetectably.

Profitable and Provocative

According to CEO Roy Lee’s social media activity and podcast appearances, Cluely is already profitable. Lee’s strategy involves using a provocative online presence and controversial videos to generate buzz and build brand awareness.

One such example is a viral video showing Lee using a hidden AI assistant to mislead a woman on a date, sparking significant debate online.

Party Foul

Cluely’s attempt to host a large after-party following Y Combinator’s AI Startup School was shut down by police due to overcrowding, with approximately 2,000 attendees trying to gain entry.

Future Plans

With this new funding, Cluely is poised to further develop its AI-powered “assistance” tools and expand its reach. Whether the company’s controversial approach will ultimately lead to long-term success remains to be seen.

Topics: , AI, Cluely, Startups