Cluely Party Shut Down by Police - 'Cheat at Everything' Startup

San Francisco Startup Scene Experiences a Notable Event

A recent incident unfolded in San Francisco on Monday evening, capturing attention within the startup community. According to Roy Lee, founder and CEO of Cluely, it revolved around “the most legendary party that never happened.”

AI Startup School After-Party Plans

Cluely initially intended to host an after-party coinciding with the AI Startup School event organized by Y Combinator. This event attracted significant interest due to prominent speakers such as Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, and Elon Musk.

Cluely's Controversial Marketing Approach

Cluely itself is an AI startup that has gained notoriety through provocative marketing strategies and comedic content. Consistent with this approach, Lee shared a satirical video on X to promote the after-party.

The video depicted Lee positioned near the iconic Y Combinator sign – a popular backdrop for photos taken by YC founders. (It’s important to note that Cluely is not affiliated with Y Combinator.)

Invitation Strategy and Unexpected Response

The promotional tweet reached Lee’s substantial following of over 100,000 users, inviting direct messages for potential invitations. However, Lee clarified to TechCrunch that invitations were limited. “We only extended invites to friends and acquaintances,” he stated.

Despite this limited distribution, the party quickly gained traction and details were widely circulated. As the scheduled start time approached, an unexpectedly large crowd gathered outside the venue, with lines extending for blocks. Lee estimates the turnout to be around 2,000 people.

Police Intervention and Party Shutdown

The substantial size of the gathering presented potential control issues. However, the situation was resolved by law enforcement intervention. The lines were obstructing traffic, prompting the police to shut down the event. Lee was reportedly heard exclaiming, “Cluely’s aura is just too strong!” as the police dispersed the crowd.

A Legendary Event, Despite Its Non-Occurrence

Lee reflects that the event, had it proceeded, would have been a landmark occasion in tech history. He believes the story itself may solidify its status as “the most legendary party that never happened,” expressing both pride and disappointment.

Cluely's Origins and Previous Controversies

Lee first gained recognition in San Francisco after a viral tweet detailed his suspension from Columbia University. This stemmed from the development of an AI tool, alongside his co-founder, designed to assist in circumventing job interview processes for software engineers.

From Controversy to Funding

This tool evolved into Cluely, a startup offering a secure, hidden browser window inaccessible to interviewers or proctors. The company’s initial marketing boldly promised assistance in “cheating on everything.” In April, Cluely successfully secured a $5.3 million seed funding round, and their marketing message has since been refined to: “Everything you need. Before you ask.”

Aftermath and Future Plans

The party’s abrupt end naturally sparked humor, memes, and speculation. Lee offered a straightforward explanation for the large crowds. Following the police intervention, he assured, “We did some cleanup, but the drinks are all there waiting for the next party.”