Cluely, a fast-rising startup that’s been stirring up both curiosity and controversy, just landed $15 million in fresh funding led by Andreessen Horowitz. The company’s mission? To quietly help users succeed in high-pressure moments — from job interviews and exams to business calls — using real-time AI support.
It’s a bold pitch: live AI assistance that’s undetectable to the people around you.
A Startup That’s Not Afraid to Ruffle Feathers
Cluely isn’t like most startups. Its founders, Roy Lee and Neel Shanmugam, were suspended from Columbia University earlier this year after building a tool that secretly helped engineers pass technical job interviews. Instead of abandoning the project, they turned it into a business — and it’s taken off.
The company’s early tool, Interview Coder, is now part of a larger suite that aims to coach users in real time, feeding them the right words when they need them most.
While some call it cheating, others see it as a way to level the playing field.
Funding and Growth
This latest $15 million Series A round follows a $5.3 million seed round raised just two months ago. The company didn’t reveal its exact valuation, but people familiar with the deal say it’s likely around $120 million.
Cluely says it’s already profitable — a rare milestone for a startup so young. That traction, combined with a growing online following, helped attract Andreessen Horowitz to lead the round.
The funds will go toward scaling the team, improving the technology, and expanding its user base.
What Cluely Actually Does
At its core, Cluely builds AI assistants that work quietly in the background. These tools are designed to step in during moments of pressure — not replace you, but help you stay sharp and say the right thing.
Here’s where people are using it:
- Job interviews, where candidates get suggested answers through a hidden earpiece or prompt.
- Sales calls, where reps receive tips and reminders as the conversation unfolds.
- School exams, where answers or cues are delivered discreetly (yes, this is where things get ethically murky).
Cluely’s message is simple: people get nervous, and AI can help. Whether that’s fair or not is part of the larger debate.
A Marketing Strategy That Can’t Be Ignored
CEO Roy Lee doesn’t shy away from attention. In fact, much of Cluely’s growth has come from his bold — and sometimes outrageous — online presence.
In April, the company dropped a video showing Lee on a date at a high-end restaurant, secretly using Cluely to pretend he was more cultured than he really is. The video was professionally produced, borderline absurd, and impossible to ignore.
More recently, Cluely tried to host a party after Y Combinator’s AI Startup School. Nearly 2,000 people showed up. Police shut it down. Lee later told reporters, “We did some cleanup, but the drinks are still there waiting for the next party.”
Love it or hate it, Cluely’s marketing works.
Supporters Say It’s a Tool. Critics Call It a Shortcut.
The conversation around Cluely isn’t just about money or marketing — it’s about ethics.
Supporters argue:
- AI should be used to support, not judge.
- Many people have skills, but get nervous in interviews or exams.
- This is no different from a coach helping you prep — just in real time.
Critics push back:
- It crosses the line between support and dishonesty.
- It could break trust in schools, hiring processes, and even daily conversations.
- It encourages reliance on shortcuts rather than actual learning.
Cluely’s team, for its part, says the company is creating a new category of AI — one that supports people during real-life moments of pressure.
What’s Next for Cluely?
With funding secured, Cluely plans to:
- Expand its AI across more use cases like negotiations, presentations, and public speaking.
- Make the tech more discreet and harder to detect.
- Grow its reach outside the U.S., especially in high-pressure professional industries.
It also plans to hire more engineers, content creators, and support staff as the company scales.
Despite the noise, one thing is clear: Cluely has momentum, money, and attention. Whether that translates to long-term success remains to be seen.
Summary: Why This Matters
- Cluely has raised $15 million from Andreessen Horowitz to grow its real-time AI tools.
- The startup was born from a controversial AI project at Columbia University.
- Its tools help users succeed in live situations — often without others knowing.
- The company is already profitable, with strong investor interest and a viral online presence.
- Cluely’s rise raises serious ethical questions about AI, trust, and fairness.
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