Cluely, a controversial AI startup built around real-time assistance for high-stakes situations like job interviews and exams, has raised $5.3 million in seed funding from Abstract Ventures, Susa Ventures, and several angels.
The tool’s origin story is as unconventional as its mission—and it all started with a viral tweet.
In early 2024, Chungin “Roy” Lee, then a Columbia University student, posted about a tool he and co-founder Neel Shanmugam had created to help software engineers navigate interviews with hidden AI assistance. The system used an undetectable browser overlay to provide live support during technical interviews.
The tweet went viral. Columbia suspended the students. And within weeks, they dropped out and officially launched Cluely, positioning it as a platform to “cheat on everything.”
“It’s like spellcheck or a calculator—tools that once sparked outrage but are now standard,” said Lee, now CEO of Cluely.
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What Is Cluely?
At its core, Cluely is an AI-powered real-time companion that helps users handle situations where being right matters. From job interviews and sales calls to exams and even social situations, Cluely runs silently in a browser overlay, feeding information and suggested responses without detection.
The product now includes:
- Hidden prompts for coding interviews
- AI-driven answers for online assessments
- Live coaching during calls, pitches, and even dates
The company even released a viral promo video showing the tool being used on a dinner date to answer questions about art and age—sparking both fascination and backlash.
“Imagine launching a product with a Black Mirror episode,” one critic posted on X.
Despite the mixed reception, the startup is growing fast. Lee told TechCrunch the product crossed $3 million in ARR this month.
From Hack Tool to VC-Backed Startup
The company’s original product, Interview Coder, was a targeted solution for software developers looking to beat technical interviews on platforms like LeetCode, which Cluely’s founders argue are outdated gatekeepers.
Lee himself used the AI tool to land an internship at Amazon, which declined to comment specifically but noted that job candidates are required to refrain from using unauthorized tools.
Today, Cluely is headquartered in San Francisco and backed by a mix of traditional VCs and controversial clout. Its co-founders—both just 21—have left Columbia behind, but continue to dominate headlines in the debate over AI’s place in academic and professional integrity.
A Broader Trend of AI Disruption
Cluely isn’t alone in raising eyebrows. It arrives amid a new wave of startups pushing the ethical edge of AI’s role in human tasks. One recently launched venture promised to “replace all human workers,” sparking a similar social media storm.
Cluely, however, is focused on amplifying rather than replacing the user—albeit in ways many institutions would consider crossing the line.
“We’re not breaking the rules of the future,” said Lee. “We’re just ahead of them.”
