Speed is everything StartupsNathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow learned about this in person. In just 14 days, the 21-year-old Yale junior raised $3 million for its AI-powered online platform. series.
But their story goes beyond the fast fundraising round – it’s two young black founders in a business like them Still insufficient.
“We’re 6’5,” Johnson said, black and technical – straight for Harvard story. ” Facebook’s Origin Story. “This difference is the reason for the series tells a new story about how people connect online.”
Johnson and Hargrow entered the world of entrepreneurs, believing that AI can reimagine how people build relationships online. They believe that professional networks face a major problem because social media platforms are full of No meaningless numbers and futile connection.
The series was born from this belief: a platform designed to challenge traditional social networks through AI to promote meaningful connections.
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“Accidental” luck
Johnson is a major in computer science and economics, while Hargrow, a neuroscience major, is not completely blind. They presided over this Founder Series podcast, They interviewed successful founders and entrepreneurs, focusing on college entrepreneurship.
A common theme emerged in these interviews: the importance of luck.
“Luck is what led to their first funder, first client, first investor, first,” Johnson told Johnson. entrepreneur. “So we think, This is a bit accidental, but ends up being a differential maker. How do we design luck?“
This idea becomes Series Basics. Their platform uses AI-powered agents or “AI friends” to facilitate introductions. Instead of relying on Cold publicity Or by chance meetings, like on LinkedIn, users of series users train their AI agents to understand their needs and connect them with the right people in the extended network.
In other words, users can text and train their “AI friends” and describe the type of connection they need (whether they are co-founders, investors, mentors or friends), and then AI then searches the series network to find the right match.
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Anti-Facebook or the next indicator of human connection?
The series provides fresh “anti-Facebook” solutions for social networks. It’s not about being an updated, cooler Facebook, but trying to fix what’s wrong with Facebook and other platforms. Traditional social media focuses on sharing content and Post information about yourselfthe series was built around a private introduction. “Social media is great for broadcasting, but it doesn’t necessarily help you meet the right people at the right time,” Johnson said.
Image source: Series
Rather than broadcasting to followers or curated content, the series creates what Johnson calls “the next iteration of human connection.” He said traditional platforms are rooted in the web and presentations.
“You’re posting images on Instagram, you’re posting videos on Tiktok, and you’re posting working on LinkedIn… That’s really where you have this micro-influencer syndrome,” Johnson said.
In other words, existing platforms (whether intentionally or not) put pressure on users Looks polished and plan posts. Users of the series interact with Sontient AI friends who “can know you on an intimate level” and allow true authenticity “can know you”.
Instead of projecting images, users can get guidance and support based on their true personality. They can then match real people who may become mentors or friends.
“We’re not trying to replace real-world relationships, but we’re trying to make it easier for people to find the right relationship in the first place,” Hargrow said.
Related: Will social media make you less social and more lonely?
Fundraising Battle
Johnson and Hargrow came from different parts of the country – Irvine, California and Queens, New York, but found a common foundation at Yale, both of which were attracted to entrepreneurship.
Johnson has been building things since he was a child, including making canes for visually impaired people at the age of 8.
The two learn how to tell a fascinating story to sell entrepreneurial ideas. Starting with cold emails and warm introductions, it quickly turned into a crash course for pitching, learning from the initial “NOS” and figuring out how to sell more than just a product.
They stick to their core and position their series as the next step Interpersonal relationships. They also learned to take “moral faith” as an example.
“If I were to approach a girl, I wouldn’t tell her, ‘Okay, I’m OK, but there are a lot of handsome guys out there, too,” Hargro said. “I’m going to find a way to morally tell her that I’m the best person ever.”
Image source: Series
At Yale, the two immersed themselves in the university’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, joined the startup club and networked with other founders. They quickly realize that success is more than just intelligence or hard work. Visits played a huge role.
“At Yale, we can access unprecedented levels of network access that we wouldn’t have,” Hargro said.
A critical link led to well-known Bay Area investor Anne Lee Skates. After a flight to California dinner 36 hours later, she became their chief investor.
Then, momentum surfaced. They met with venture capital groups in the Bay Area, and within two weeks they received $3 million in funding, attracting investors eager to bet on the future of AI-driven networks.
“That dinner changed everything,” Hargro said. “Literally, I will always remember it was a million dollar dinner.”
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“Don’t write anyone”
For Johnson and Hargrow, two young black founders, the architectural series is more than just technology. It’s about representing, visiting and building the connections they hope to make as children.
“As young, I didn’t see a lot of people I could look up to because they didn’t look like me or build something I was building,” Johnson said. “I can see my childhood self looking up to me now.”
As communication shifts to AI-assisted interactions, Johnson and Hargrow bets that people will embrace a platform that prioritizes real connections over over-curated online roles.
“Don’t write anyone down,” Hargro said. “When building a platform that depends on you Literally, it doesn’t have someone’s face value But it’s actually going to find their identity… It takes a frustrated person, that is, never writing anyone’s thoughts. ”
This article is part of our ongoing Young Entrepreneurs® series that focuses on becoming a story, challenge and victory Young business owner.
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