TechCrunch Startup News Police shut down Cluely’s party, the ‘cheat at everything’ startup
Jun 18, 2025
A highly anticipated party for a San Francisco AI startup takes an unexpected turn when police shut it down over safety concerns. The founder's mixed emotions and chaotic scene reveal the cult-like culture surrounding the company. Dive into the controversies of their marketing strategies as the drama unfolds, showcasing the highs and lows of startup life in the tech capital!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Cluely's Party Shut Down
- Cluely's after party for a Y Combinator event was massively oversubscribed by around 2,000 people.
- Police shut down the party due to overwhelming crowds blocking traffic, making it a "legendary party that never happened."
Founder Known for Cheating Tool
- Roy Lee gained attention after posting about being suspended for creating an AI tool to cheat software engineer interviews.
- The tool evolved into a startup, originally marketing to help people "cheat on everything."