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Overview
Cluely is an AI-powered desktop assistant for virtual meetings and sales calls. It provides real-time, context-aware insights and prompts by observing the user’s screen and listening to audio, helping users respond to objections and technical questions during sales interactions. It works with platforms like Zoom and is designed to operate during meetings to surface immediate guidance without interrupting the flow. The product uses a freemium model with free and premium tiers, generating revenue through subscriptions targeted at individuals and businesses that rely on virtual communication tools. Cluely differentiates itself by offering real-time, context-specific support integrated with existing meeting software and by emphasizing compliant handling of audio recording and consent laws. Its goal is to help users avoid lost deals and improve their effectiveness in virtual communications.
About Cluely
Industries
Data & Analytics
Enterprise Software
AI & Machine Learning
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Early VC
Total Funding
$20.3M
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
Founded
2025
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Raised $20M total, including $15M Series A from Andreessen Horowitz in 2025.
- Achieved $7M ARR by doubling revenue in one week per Roy Lee.
- Launched mobile app as AI meeting notetaker to expand user base.
What critics are saying
- Zoom 6.0 detects overlays, rendering Cluely ineffective in 6-12 months.
- Fireflies.ai captures market with compliant real-time coaching in 12-18 months.
- Class-action lawsuits over wiretap violations shut down operations in 12-24 months.
What makes Cluely unique
- Undetectable overlay provides real-time sales call insights during Zoom meetings.
- Freemium model drives viral adoption among virtual communication professionals.
- Pivoted from 'cheat on everything' to AI meeting assistant by November 2025.
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Funding
Total Funding
$20.3M
Above
Industry Average
Funded Over
2 Rounds
Andreessen HorowitzBenefits
Performance Bonus
Company Equity
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↓ -22%1 year growth
↓ -22%2 year growth
↑ 0%Cluely has raised $15 million, reflecting a shift in business communication from traditional methods to more strategic and prepared interactions. The company positions itself as a tool for "cheating" in interviews and sales calls, which aligns with what successful executives already practice under the guise of coaching and preparation. This approach challenges the outdated notion of authenticity in professional settings.
Chungin “Roy” Lee, a 21-year-old former student, developed an AI tool called Cluely, initially named Coder, to assist in coding interviews, leading to his suspension from Columbia University after using it to secure a job offer from Amazon. Despite the controversy, Cluely secured $5.3 million in seed funding and achieved a $3 million average annual return in early 2025. The tool's tagline, “Cheat on Everything,” has sparked debate on the ethics of automation in job interviews.
21-year-old entrepreneur Chungin “Roy” Lee, who dropped out of Columbia University, founded AI company Cluely with the slogan "Everything you cheat on." Cluely raised $20 million, including a $5.3 million seed and a $15 million Series A, from investors like Andreessen Horowitz's Bryan Kim. Despite not having a complete product, Cluely achieved an ARR of $4.5 million by prioritizing viral marketing over product development. The company is preparing for an official product launch.
With just a handful of employees and over 60 interns focused on content, Cluely is betting big on what it calls “brain-rot marketing.” While its tactics have drawn both praise and criticism, Andreessen Horowitz sees deliberate strategy behind the chaos—and believes it's translating into real revenue
AI startup Cluely announced it has closed a $15 million Series A funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz.
Cluely is Hiring for 3 Jobs on Simplify!
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About Cluely
Industries
Data & Analytics
Enterprise Software
AI & Machine Learning
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Early VC
Total Funding
$20.3M
Headquarters
San Francisco, California
Founded
2025
Cluely is Hiring for 3 Jobs on Simplify!
Find jobs on Simplify and start your career today