Innovative startup Cluely Secures $15 Million in Series A Funding from Andreessen Horowitz

In a bold move within the tech startup landscape, Cluely—a company that positions itself as a tool to assist users in “cheating on everything” from job interviews to exams and sales calls—has announced the successful closing of a $15 million Series A funding round. The investment was led by the well-known venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, with the company sharing the news via a video posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Industry insiders suggest that Cluely’s post-money valuation is approximately $120 million, although Andreessen Horowitz has not publicly commented on this estimate. Reached for insights, Cluely’s CEO Roy Lee has yet to respond to inquiries.

This recent infusion of capital follows Cluely’s earlier seed round, which brought in $5.3 million from investors including Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures just two months prior.

Founded earlier this year by 21-year-olds Roy Lee and Neel Shanmugam, the startup’s origins trace back to a controversial project named “Interview Coder,” an AI-powered tool designed to help engineers excel in technical interviews. The duo previously faced suspension from Columbia University due to their development of this undetectable AI technology, raising questions about the ethical implications of their innovations.

As Cluely advances with substantial financial backing, it continues to stir debate about the boundaries of AI and ethical considerations in competitive environments. Its rapid rise highlights both the innovative potential and the controversy surrounding AI-powered tools in professional and academic settings.