Cluely, a startup that claims to help users “cheat” on job interviews, exams, and sales calls, has raised a $15 million Series A led by Andreessen Horowitz. The company’s post-money valuation is estimated to be around $120 million, according to two investors who participated in the deal.
Co-founded by 21-year-old Roy Lee and Neel Shanmugam, Cluely was previously suspended from Columbia University for developing an undetectable AI-powered tool called “Interview Coder” to help engineers cheat on technical interviews. Despite this controversy, the startup has reportedly become profitable through Lee’s provocative social media presence and highly produced videos.
Cluely’s new funding comes roughly two months after it raised $5.3 million in seed funding co-led by Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures. The company is expected to use its funds to expand operations and further develop its cheating tools.
The startup gained significant attention earlier this year when Lee published a launch video showing him using an AI assistant to lie about his age and knowledge on a date. Cluely’s after-party plans were also disrupted by the police, who shut down the event due to safety concerns.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/20/cluely-a-startup-that-helps-cheat-on-everything-raises-15m-from-a16z