Cluely Raises $15M to Help Users 'Cheat on Everything' | TechCrunch

Cluely Secures $15 Million in Series A Funding

Cluely, a company positioning itself as a resource for individuals seeking an advantage in professional scenarios like job interviews, examinations, and sales interactions, has announced a $15 million Series A funding round. The investment was spearheaded by Andreessen Horowitz, as revealed in a video shared on X on Friday.

Sources familiar with the deal, representing investors not involved in the funding, suggest Cluely’s valuation post-investment is approximately $120 million. Andreessen Horowitz has not confirmed this valuation. Roy Lee, Cluely’s CEO, has not yet responded to inquiries for confirmation.

Recent Funding History

This latest funding round arrives approximately two months after Cluely secured $5.3 million in seed funding. This initial investment was co-led by Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures.

The company was established earlier this year by Roy Lee, age 21, and Neel Shanmugam. They were previously suspended from Columbia University due to their creation of “Interview Coder,” an AI-driven tool designed to facilitate cheating during technical interviews.

Profitability and Marketing Strategies

According to multiple statements made by Lee on X and during podcast interviews, Cluely is currently operating at a profit.

Lee’s active and often controversial presence on social media, coupled with the production of highly polished videos, has been instrumental in generating attention and building brand recognition for Cluely.

Controversial Marketing Campaigns

In April, Cluely released a visually striking, yet divisive, launch video. The video depicted Lee utilizing a concealed AI assistant to misrepresent his age and expertise in art during a date at an upscale restaurant, as previously covered by TechCrunch.

Event Disruption

Earlier this week, Cluely attempted to host a large after-party in conjunction with Y Combinator’s AI Startup School, a two-day event. However, law enforcement intervened when an estimated 2,000 people attempted to gain entry to the venue, according to Lee’s account to TechCrunch. He further stated, “We completed some tidying up, and the beverages remain available for the next event.”

Cluely’s approach continues to generate discussion regarding the ethics of AI assistance in competitive professional settings.