Cluely's Roy Lee on Viral Hype & Success

The Evolution of Cluely: From Viral Sensation to AI Meeting Assistant

Roy Lee, the founder of Cluely, acknowledges that while generating social media virality is important for startups, simply increasing brand awareness isn't sufficient for long-term, sustainable expansion.

Early Launch and Initial Strategy

Lee recently stated at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 that the timing of Cluely’s initial launch may have been premature. The original concept involved releasing a minimally functional product and relying on early adopters to identify its potential applications.

Cluely initially gained notoriety through provocative marketing centered around a product designed to assist users in “cheating on everything.” This followed Lee’s earlier suspension from Columbia University for developing a tool used to circumvent coding interview security measures.

Product Expansion and Enterprise Focus

In June, Cluely expanded its offerings with an enterprise-level product. This version aimed to provide support for various business functions, including sales calls, customer support interactions, and remote tutoring sessions.

Pivot to AI Meeting Assistant

However, the startup subsequently adjusted its strategy, unveiling a redesigned website that positions its product as an AI assistant for meetings. Lee articulated the company’s current objective: to establish itself as the leading AI-powered note-taking solution, beginning with individual consumers.

While entering a competitive market, Cluely highlights features like automated follow-up email generation as key differentiators.

Financial Performance and Transparency

Lee remained evasive when questioned about current sales figures and customer retention rates, only commenting that performance has exceeded expectations, though not at an unprecedented pace.

The company secured a $15 million Series A funding round from Andreessen Horowitz in June. Partner Bryan Kim expressed confidence in Lee’s ability to translate initial attention into paying customers.

Initial Revenue Claims and Subsequent Reticence

Lee previously reported a rapid increase in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), jumping from $3 million to $7 million within a single week of the product launch. He suggested widespread testing among individuals participating in meetings and interviews.

However, four months later, Lee has become hesitant to disclose the company’s financial performance, stating that sharing revenue numbers offers no benefit.

He believes that positive results are often overlooked, while negative performance receives disproportionate scrutiny.

Industry Trends and Public Disclosure

Despite Lee’s reservations, numerous founders of rapidly growing AI startups routinely share their ARR figures publicly, establishing a norm of transparency within the industry.

Lessons Learned: Virality and Product Value

Cluely’s experience underscores the limitations of relying solely on social media attention. Sustained success in the software industry requires a robust product capable of retaining customers beyond initial curiosity.

Ultimately, the case of Cluely demonstrates that while initial buzz can be valuable, a strong and useful product is essential for achieving lasting growth.