Cluely, a young startup that promises to assist users in 'cheating' during job interviews, exams, and sales calls, has recently secured a $15 million Series A funding round. This significant financial boost was led by Andreessen Horowitz, as announced on Friday through a video posted on X. The company's valuation is rumored to be around $120 million following this investment, though neither Andreessen Horowitz nor Cluely CEO Roy Lee have confirmed these figures.

This substantial funding comes on the heels of a $5.3 million seed round co-led by Abstract Ventures and Susa Ventures, which took place just two months prior. Cluely was co-founded earlier this year by 21-year-old Roy Lee and Neel Shanmugam, who were suspended from Columbia University for their development of an AI-powered tool called "Interview Coder." This tool was designed to help engineers bypass technical interview challenges.

Despite the controversy, Cluely has reportedly become profitable, as indicated by Lee’s various social media posts and podcast appearances. The company's provocative marketing tactics have garnered significant attention and brand awareness. In April, Cluely released a controversial yet polished launch video featuring Lee using a hidden AI assistant to deceive a woman about his age and knowledge of art during a dinner date.

The company's audacious approach to marketing was further highlighted earlier this week when they attempted to host a large after-party following Y Combinator’s AI Startup School. The event was a two-day affair, but it was abruptly ended by the police after approximately 2,000 people attempted to enter the venue. Lee recounted the situation to TechCrunch, stating, "We did some cleanup, but the drinks are all there waiting for the next party." This incident underscores Cluely's penchant for making a splash in the tech scene, regardless of the method.