In a groundbreaking move that challenges the norms of both academia and the tech industry. Yale juniors Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Harbrow have secured $3.1 million in pre-seed funding for their AI-powered social networking platform, Series. This achievement is a testament to their innovation. It is also a significant milestone for young Black men in an industry where they are often underrepresented and overlooked.
A Vision Beyond Vanity Metrics
Series aims to redefine online networking by prioritizing genuine, value-based connections over traditional metrics like likes and followers. The platform utilizes AI agents, termed “AI Friends,” to facilitate double-opt-in introductions among students, ensuring that each connection is meaningful and mutually beneficial. Accessible via iMessage and requiring a .edu email, Series creates a trusted ecosystem for students to network authentically.
The journey began with “The Founder Series” podcast. Johnson and Harbrow interviewed fellow Yale entrepreneurs, amassing over 500,000 views. This initiative evolved into a web-based chatbot that curated introductions, gaining traction at Yale and Princeton. The success of this project laid the foundation for Series, which has already facilitated over 32,000 messages between users.
A Rapid and Historic Fundraising Journey
The duo’s fundraising journey was nothing short of extraordinary. Within just 14 days of posting a teaser trailer on LinkedIn, Johnson and Harbrow secured a meeting. The meeting was with Anne Lee Skates of Parable, a venture firm launched by a former a16z investor. This led to a whirlwind fundraising trip to Silicon Valley, culminating in a $3 million pre-seed round. The round was led by Parable, with participation from Pear VC, Tim Draper’s DGB.VC, 47th Street, Radicle Impact, Uncommon Projects, and individual investors, including Reddit CEO Steve Huffman and GPTZero founder Edward Tian.
Challenging the Status Quo
For Johnson and Harbrow, this achievement is not just about business success; it’s about challenging the status quo. In their own words, they are “6’5”, Black, and technical – a direct foil to the Harvard story.” Their success underscores the importance of diversity in tech and venture capital, highlighting that innovation thrives when diverse perspectives are embraced.
Their story serves as a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs of color, demonstrating that with vision, determination, and support, barriers can be broken, and new narratives can be written in the tech industry.
As they look to the future, Johnson and Harbrow aim to expand Series beyond college campuses into industries such as finance, dating, education, and healthcare, areas where trust and access to networks are critical. Their long-term vision is to build the most accessible warm network in the world, to put a billion AI Friends in people’s pockets over the next decade.
In a world where the tech industry has often been criticized for its lack of diversity, the success of Johnson and Harbrow is a powerful reminder that innovation knows no bounds, and the future of technology is brighter when it reflects the richness of our diverse experiences.
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