What if virality wasn’t a tactic — but the entire product? In this episode, a16z General Partners Erik Torenberg and Bryan Kim sit down with Roy Lee, cofounder and CEO of Cluely, one of the most talked-about consumer AI startups of 2025. Cluely didn’t raise a mega round or drop a feature suite to get traction - it broke through by turning distribution into design: launching viral short-form videos, pushing polarizing product drops, and building in public with speed and spectacle. We cover: – Why virality is Cluely’s moat – Building a brand-native AI interface – The Gen Z founder mindset – What most startups get wrong about attention – Why creators are the new product managers – Cluely’s long-term vision for ambient AI Cluely is a glimpse at the next generation of startups, where the line between product and performance is disappearing. Timecodes: 00:00 Introduction 00:50 Roy's Rise and Controversies 03:33 A Journey of Provocation and Ambition 07:52 Mastering the Algorithm 12:24 Building a Viral Tech Company 14:07 The Power of Distribution 15:49 The Partnership with Brian 20:09 Momentum as a Moat 20:57 The Evolution of Product Retention in the AI Era 21:58 The Importance of Speed and Innovation in AI 24:46 The Rise of Creator-Driven Software Businesses 25:56 Cluey's Journey: From Interview Coder to Viral Success 27:02 The Power of Distribution and User Data 28:54 The Translucent Overlay: A Game-Changer in AI UX 32:41 Building Hype and Authenticity in Product Launches 34:22 The Future of Professionalism and Corporate Culture 40:12 Concluding Thoughts and Vision for the Future Resources: Find Roy on X: https://x.com/im_roy_lee Find Bryan on X: https://x.com/kirbyman01 Learn more about Cluely: http://cluely.com/ Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16z Find a16z on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16z Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Subscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/ Follow our host: https://x.com/eriktorenberg Please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.