Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
San Francisco Startup’s AI Party Shut Down by Police
The San Francisco startup scene witnessed an unexpected spectacle Monday night as Cluely, an AI startup, unintentionally hosted what its CEO Roy Lee describes as “the most legendary party that never happened.” The event was planned as an after-party for Y Combinator’s AI Startup School, which featured prominent speakers like Sam Altman, Satya Nadella, and Elon Musk.
The Viral Marketing and the Party Invitation
Cluely, known for its controversial and attention-grabbing marketing tactics, saw its CEO post a satirical video on X promoting the after-party. The video, which showed Lee near the Y Combinator sign, was intended to create buzz. Despite Lee’s claims that actual invites were limited to close acquaintances, the details of the supposed party spread rapidly.
Crowd Control Issues and Police Intervention
As the scheduled start time approached, a massive crowd gathered outside the venue. Lee estimated that approximately 2,000 people were present, leading to blocked traffic and ultimately prompting police intervention. “It just blew up way out of proportion,” said Lee. The gathering was dispersed by law enforcement.
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Lee humorously recounted shouting, “Cluely’s aura is just too strong!” as authorities shut down the event.
The “Most Legendary Party That Never Happened”
Despite its abrupt end, Lee believes the failed party has achieved legendary status. “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,” he stated.
Cluely’s Controversial Beginnings
Lee first garnered attention in San Francisco for a viral tweet detailing his suspension from Columbia University. The suspension occurred after he and his co-founder created an AI tool designed to help software engineers cheat on job interviews.
From Cheating Tool to Startup
The controversial tool evolved into Cluely, a startup offering a hidden in-browser window undetectable by interviewers. The company’s initial marketing, focused on aiding users to “cheat on everything,” also went viral. The AI startup secured $5.3 million in seed funding in April and has since toned down its messaging, now focusing on providing essential resources.
Aftermath
The ill-fated party became fodder for jokes, memes, and speculative rumors. Lee indicated that the cleanup had commenced and that drinks remained for a subsequent gathering.