Police shut down Cluely’s party, the ‘cheat at everything’ startup

San Francisco's vibrant startup scene took an unexpected turn on Monday night when Cluely, an AI startup co-founded by Roy Lee, aimed to host what was dubbed 'the most legendary party that never happened.' This event was intended to follow the AI Startup School, a Y Combinator gathering featuring prominent figures like Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, and Elon Musk. Cluely, known for its controversial and humorous marketing approach, had generated buzz through a satirical video posted by Lee on X, showcasing him near the iconic Y Combinator sign—despite Cluely not being a Y Combinator startup. The post quickly went viral, reaching his audience of over 100,000 followers, inviting them to DM for an exclusive invite. However, Lee admitted that the invites were only sent to close friends and their connections, yet the excitement spiraled out of control. As the party time approached, a massive crowd began to gather, with estimates suggesting around 2,000 attendees outside the venue. The sheer volume of people caused traffic disruptions, prompting law enforcement to intervene and shut down the event. Amid the chaos, Lee was heard exclaiming, "Cluely’s aura is just too strong!" reflecting both pride and disappointment at the situation. Despite the unplanned conclusion, Lee maintains that the spirit of the event lives on. He remarked, "It would have been the most legendary party in tech history. And I would argue that the reputation of this story might just make it the most legendary party that never happened." Roy Lee first gained notoriety after a viral tweet claiming he was suspended from Columbia University for creating an AI tool designed to cheat during job interviews. This venture later evolved into Cluely, a startup that provides a discreet browsing feature for users during interviews, solidifying its reputation with the tagline, 'Everything you need. Before you ask.' The aftermath of the party's abrupt end has sparked a flurry of jokes, memes, and speculation, with Lee assuring that the drinks are still on standby for the next gathering, hinting at more ambitious plans to come.