Summary:
Cluely's after-party for Y Combinator's AI Startup School was shut down by police due to overcrowding and traffic blockages
Founder Roy Lee's viral marketing tactics drew an estimated 2,000 attendees to the event that was only meant for "friends and friends of friends"
Cluely started from controversy, with Lee developing an AI tool to cheat on job interviews, leading to his suspension from Columbia University
The startup has raised $5.3 million in seed funding, transitioning from its initial "cheat on everything" slogan to a more professional branding
The event's cancellation spawned jokes, memes, and rumors, further fueling Cluely's reputation as a startup that thrives on viral attention
The latest San Francisco startup culture drama unfolded on Monday night, centered around Cluely, an AI startup known for its controversial origins and bold marketing strategies. The event, dubbed "the most legendary party that never happened," was intended as an after-party for Y Combinator's AI Startup School, which featured high-profile speakers like Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, and Elon Musk.
Cluely's founder, Roy Lee, leveraged his flair for viral marketing by posting a satirical video on X, advertising the party to his over 100,000 followers. Despite claims that invites were limited to "friends and friends of friends," the event attracted an estimated 2,000 attendees, causing traffic blockages and leading to its shutdown by the police.
Cluely's journey began with controversy when Lee was suspended from Columbia University for developing an AI tool designed to cheat on job interviews. This tool evolved into a startup offering a hidden in-browser window, undetectable by interviewers or proctors. Despite its initial marketing slogan promising to help people "cheat on everything," Cluely has since toned down its approach, now branding itself with the more subdued "Everything you need. Before you ask."
The aborted party quickly became the subject of jokes, memes, and rumors, cementing Cluely's reputation as a startup that thrives on attention, whether positive or negative. Lee remains optimistic, hinting at future events with the quip, "the drinks are all there waiting for the next party."
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