Cluely Raises $15M to Expand AI Tools That Help Users 'Cheat' on Interviews, Exams, and More

Cluely, an AI startup that offers tools to help users 'cheat' in job interviews, academic exams, and sales calls, has announced a major funding milestone. The company has closed a $15 million Series A round led by Andreessen Horowitz, reportedly bringing its valuation to around $120 million (though this figure has not been confirmed by investors or Cluely’s founders).

Background and Founding Story

Founded just earlier this year by 21-year-old Roy Lee and Neel Shanmugam, Cluely made headlines when both co-founders were suspended from Columbia University. Their offense: developing an AI-powered tool called “Interview Coder” that enabled engineers to discreetly access technical answers during job interviews, making cheating virtually undetectable.

Rapid Growth and Funding Trajectory

The new funding follows a recent $5.3 million seed round, which was co-led by Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures. According to Roy Lee’s posts on social media and in podcasts, Cluely is already profitable—an uncommon achievement for such a young startup. Lee, known for provocative online content and highly-produced videos, has been instrumental in building the brand’s controversial and fast-growing presence.

Recent Attention and Virality

Cluely has not only drawn investor interest but also significant public attention. This week, the company planned to host a large post-Y Combinator AI Startup School party. However, the San Francisco police shut down the event after the venue was overwhelmed by approximately 2,000 people attempting to attend, illustrating the fervor and curiosity surrounding the startup.

Product and Positioning

Cluely’s suite of AI tools position themselves as ways to "cheat on everything," from academic exams to professional scenarios like sales calls and interviews. While the company’s approach is provocative and even controversial, it signals a new wave of AI-assisted productivity—one that is forcing institutions and employers to rethink their approach to assessing skills and performance.

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Why it matters

Cluely’s rise spotlights a growing tension in the tech ecosystem: generative AI is making it easier to bypass traditional meritocratic assessments. For startups and founders, this shift signals opportunity and risk—AI’s power to level the playing field can democratize access but also erode trust in the evaluation processes used for hiring and admissions. Founders should be aware of this dynamic as both innovators and potential targets of disruption.

Risks & opportunities

The entry of companies like Cluely into mainstream workflows raises ethical and market risks—institutions might adapt by deploying new detection tools or opting for more practical, in-person assessments, opening a market for anti-cheating or integrity verification startups. On the opportunity side, there’s clear demand for ‘invisible assistance’ and upskilling—if channeled constructively, similar AI could be used for coaching, training, or real-time learning support, not just cheating.

Startup idea or application

Inspired by Cluely’s controversy, a promising startup concept might be the development of an AI-powered companion for interview or exam preparation that helps users build real competency while detecting and discouraging over-reliance on shortcuts. Alternatively, founders could explore SaaS tools for enterprises and schools—software that integrates with hiring/interview platforms or academic tools to flag suspicious behavior and enhance trust in results.

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