The AI startup that branded itself around “cheating” just raised $15 million — and it’s not slowing down.
Backed by Andreessen Horowitz, Cluely’s founder wants to rack up a billion views, even if that means stirring more controversy. Here’s why investors aren’t looking away.
Behind the Hype: What Cluely Just Pulled Off
San Francisco-based AI startup Cluely has secured a $15 million funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz, the company confirmed Friday.
Cluely first made headlines earlier this year with a bold — and divisive — mission: to help users “cheat on everything.” That tagline went viral, especially after its CEO, Chungin “Roy” Lee, was suspended by Columbia University for launching an early version of the tool.
Initially pitched to help software engineers pass job interviews using real-time AI assistance, Cluely has since scrubbed that language from its site. Still, its core promise remains: undetectable AI that watches your screen and feeds you answers live.
The company says its tech can guide users during complex tasks — from interviews to coding tests — while remaining invisible to observers.
Lee’s ambitions go beyond product development. His goal? One billion views across Cluely’s platforms. “We’ll do pretty much whatever it takes to do that,” he told Business Insider.
And marketing stunts are very much part of the playbook. From tongue-in-cheek videos — like Lee using Cluely on a date — to a plan to hire 50 growth interns to flood TikTok with content, the startup thrives on attention.
Andreessen Horowitz partner Bryan Kim called Lee a “founder with the boldness to rethink what’s possible.” Cluely’s previous investors, Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures, also joined the new round. They had earlier helped the startup raise $5.3 million.
With fresh capital in hand, Cluely is betting that virality is a growth strategy — even if it walks a fine line between helpful and harmful.
What’s at Stake for AI Ethics and Startups
Cluely raises big questions about what’s acceptable in the AI arms race — and what investors are willing to endorse.
It’s not just a tool. It’s a philosophy: that performance, not process, matters. That’s a slippery slope in fields like hiring, education, or even online dating, where authenticity still holds cultural weight.
But from a business angle, the model is clear: package AI as invisible help, go viral, raise capital, repeat. In the short term, it’s working.
The concern is whether this kind of AI usage normalizes deception. Is Cluely a creative shortcut, or an ethical red flag wrapped in a growth hack?
This funding round doesn’t answer that — but it certainly signals that the tech world isn’t shying away from provocative bets.
Expert Insight
“We backed Roy early because he brings a rare mix of vision and fearlessness,” said Bryan Kim, partner at Andreessen Horowitz. “He’s a founder with the boldness to rethink what’s possible.”
Source: Business Insider via A16Z Statement
The Road Ahead: Viral Growth, Real-World Scrutiny
Cluely is likely to attract as much criticism as cash. That could be part of the strategy.
With $15 million to play with, it’s poised to amplify its presence across social platforms, and push boundaries in how people use AI in everyday life.
How long regulators and hiring platforms will tolerate it — that’s the bigger question.
Your Turn: Good Bet or Ethical Gamble?
Should investors support AI tools that blur ethical lines for virality’s sake? Where would you draw the line?
About Author:
Eli Grid is a technology journalist covering the intersection of artificial intelligence, policy, and innovation. With a background in computational linguistics and over a decade of experience reporting on AI research and global tech strategy, Eli is known for his investigative features and clear, data-informed analysis. His reporting bridges the gap between technical breakthroughs and their real-world implications bringing readers timely, insightful stories from the front lines of the AI revolution. Eli’s work has been featured in leading tech outlets and cited by academic and policy institutions worldwide.
