Failing upward: Expelled student’s AI startup raises $15M with “cheat on everything” slogan

Andreessen Horowitz has led a $15 million funding round for Cluely Inc., an AI startup that markets itself with the controversial slogan “cheat on everything.” The investment signals the venture capital firm’s willingness to back provocative AI companies, even those with founders who have faced academic consequences for creating tools designed to circumvent traditional systems.

What you should know: The startup’s 21-year-old co-founder Roy Lee was expelled from Columbia University earlier this year for developing Interview Coder, an AI tool that helped job candidates cheat during technical interviews.
• Lee responded to his expulsion with characteristic irreverence, posting on LinkedIn: “I’m completely kicked out from school. LOL!”
• Despite the academic setback, Lee’s controversial approach appears to have attracted significant venture capital interest.

The big picture: Cluely has built its brand around viral marketing stunts and provocative messaging on social platforms like X, using controversy as a growth strategy.
• The company’s “cheat on everything” positioning represents a bold marketing approach that challenges conventional business wisdom about brand messaging.
• This funding round demonstrates that some investors are willing to back startups that embrace controversial positioning if they see potential market opportunity.

Why this matters: The investment highlights the tension between traditional academic and professional standards and the disruptive potential of AI tools that can circumvent established systems.
• As AI becomes more sophisticated, tools that can help users “game” existing processes—from job interviews to academic assessments—are likely to become more common and effective.
• The funding suggests that venture capitalists see commercial potential in AI applications that challenge traditional gatekeeping mechanisms, even when they raise ethical concerns.