AI-powered startup Cluely has secured $15 million in Series A funding to expand its suite of tools designed to “cheat” on everything from job interviews to sales calls.
The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), pushing the company’s post-money valuation to an estimated $120 million, according to sources familiar with the deal.
Founded by suspended students, now VC-backed
Cluely was co-founded earlier this year by 21-year-old Roy Lee and Neel Shanmugam. The duo made headlines after being suspended from Columbia University for building “Interview Coder,” an undetectable AI tool that helped users cheat during technical interviews.
Despite the controversy, Cluely has attracted significant attention for its provocative branding and viral social media presence. CEO Roy Lee has leaned into the notoriety, producing videos that highlight the product’s capabilities—even in questionable real-world scenarios.
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From stealth to scale
The company previously raised $5.3 million in seed funding from Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures. Now, with a16z onboard, Cluely plans to accelerate growth. According to public comments and podcast appearances by Lee, the company is already profitable.
Most recently, Cluely attempted to throw a large after-party tied to Y Combinator’s AI Startup School. The event drew over 2,000 attendees and was ultimately shut down by police, adding to the startup’s rebellious brand image.
As it continues to polarize audiences and court venture capital, the startup seems determined to redefine the limits of AI-assisted performance in professional and personal settings.
