Tech
The AI Social Network You Didn’t See Coming
In a world dominated by likes and follower counts, two Yale juniors are flipping the script. Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow, both 21-year-old Black founders, just raised $3.1 million in 14 days to launch Series—an AI-powered platform they call the “anti-Facebook.” Forget vanity metrics: this startup focuses on real connections by matching users through an AI agent that acts like a personal networking concierge.
Why Traditional Social Media Is Broken
Johnson and Hargrow noticed a glaring flaw in platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram: they prioritize performative posts over genuine relationships. “Social media is great for broadcasting, but it doesn’t help you meet the right people at the right time,” Johnson told Business Insider. Their solution? An AI “friend” that texts users to understand their goals—whether they need a mentor, investor, or co-founder—and then scours the network for matches.
How Series Works
- Text Your AI Friend: Users chat via SMS or iMessage with an AI agent (like “Stevie” or “Oliver”) to specify what they’re looking for.
- AI Does the Heavy Lifting: The AI analyzes user needs and searches the network for compatible connections, such as a Stanford student seeking a tech collaborator or a founder hunting for seed funding.
- Meet Your Match: Introductions happen asynchronously, so users connect only when both parties are ready—no more waiting for Friday rollouts.
In its first week, Series facilitated 20,000 messages, proving that Gen Z is hungry for tools that prioritize substance over self-promotion.
The Founders’ Unlikely Journey
Standing at 6’5”, Johnson and Hargrow joke about being “a direct foil to the Harvard story” (a nod to Facebook’s origins). But their path wasn’t easy. As Black students in Yale’s entrepreneurship scene, they faced assumptions—from being mistaken for athletes to battling the “spray and pray” networking culture.
Their breakthrough came after a “million-dollar dinner” with investor Anne Lee Skates, who became their lead backer.The duo’s podcast, The Founder Series, gave them unique insights: “Success often hinges on engineered luck,” Hargrow said. “We’re building that luck into the system”.
What’s Next?
Series is expanding to Stanford, MIT, and other campuses, aiming to become the go-to network for student entrepreneurs. With Reddit CEO Steve Huffman and GPTZero’s Edward Tian as angel investors, the platform is poised to redefine how Gen Z builds professional relationships.
In a digital age obsessed with clout, Johnson and Hargrow’s mission is clear: “Forget your likes. Focus on who you are and what you can bring to the table”.
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