Cluely Raises $15M to Grow Its Controversial AI Interview Tool

Cluely secures $15M from a16z for its AI cheat tool. Here's how it works, why it's controversial, and what’s next.
Matilda
Cluely Raises $15M to Grow Its Controversial AI Interview Tool
Cluely’s $15M Raise Sparks Debate Over AI Ethics in Job Interviews Cluely, a fast-rising AI startup, has raised $15 million in Series A funding led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), drawing widespread attention—and criticism—for its controversial mission. The startup, founded in early 2025, claims to help users “cheat” on everything from job interviews to sales calls using an AI assistant. With a reported post-money valuation of around $120 million, Cluely is positioning itself at the center of the growing debate over AI ethics, employment, and personal accountability. This post dives deep into Cluely’s explosive growth, its founders’ backstory, and why its latest funding is sparking both admiration and alarm.                                    Image Credits:Cluely Cluely AI Startup: Built to ‘Cheat’ the System At its core, Cluely offers AI-powered tools designed to help users navigate high-pressure situations like technical interviews, exams, and negotiations—often by feeding real-time answ…