Building Cluely: The Viral AI Startup that raised $15M in 10 Weeks w/ Roy Lee
June 25, 2025
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41:36Now PlayingBuilding Cluely: The Viral AI Startup that raised $15M in 10 Weeks w/ Roy Lee
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as posted by the channelWhat if virality wasn’t a tactic — but the entire product?
In this episode, a16z General Partners Erik Torenberg and Bryan Kim sit down with Roy Lee, cofounder and CEO of Cluely, one of the most talked-about consumer AI startups of 2025. Cluely didn’t raise a mega round or drop a feature suite to get traction - it broke through by turning distribution into design: launching viral short-form videos, pushing polarizing product drops, and building in public with speed and spectacle.
We cover:
– Why virality is Cluely’s moat
– Building a brand-native AI interface
– The Gen Z founder mindset
– What most startups get wrong about attention
– Why creators are the new product managers
– Cluely’s long-term vision for ambient AI
Cluely is a glimpse at the next generation of startups, where the line between product and performance is disappearing.
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Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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