Roy Lee, co-founder and CEO of AI meeting assistant company Cluely, is scheduled to deliver an address on the Disrupt Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025. The conference is set to take place from October 27-29, 2025, at San Francisco's Moscone West. Lee's presentation is anticipated to cover strategies for building a notable AI startup, the role of controversy as a growth driver, and methods for achieving market differentiation within the competitive consumer technology landscape.
Cluely offers an AI-powered meeting assistant designed to provide real-time conversational insights and transform discussions into searchable and shareable reports. The company operates within a crowded market where numerous entities are developing similar AI solutions. Roy Lee's public profile originated during his time as a Columbia University student, where he publicly documented his use of an AI assistant, reportedly developed by himself, to circumvent "Big Tech" interview processes. This documentation generated significant public discourse and viral engagement, preceding his departure from academia to co-found Cluely.
The company's marketing strategy has been characterized by provocative messaging, including an initial pitch as the "cheat on everything startup." This approach, described in promotional content as employing "rage-baiting social media content," has been instrumental in Cluely's ability to gain widespread public and media attention, according to sources familiar with the company's operations. This strategy is reportedly based on the principle that attention is a primary asset in the consumer market, enabling breakthroughs where traditional marketing methods might struggle.
Earlier in the current year, Cluely successfully completed a Series A funding round, securing $15 million from Andreessen Horowitz. Company disclosures indicate that these funds have been deployed into high-visibility initiatives, including the production of "flashy launch videos," the engagement of "dozens of content creator interns," and the establishment of a substantial office in San Francisco. This capital allocation reflects a focus on amplified public presence and content generation.
During his session at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, Lee is expected to detail his perspectives on leveraging virality as a core component of a marketing framework. He will also reportedly share insights regarding the current state and future trajectory of the AI industry, often referred to as the "AI bubble," and outline Cluely's long-term business development strategies aimed at sustaining growth beyond its initial social media prominence. The event agenda highlights these topics as central to understanding contemporary startup dynamics.
