Summary:
Yale juniors Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow raised $3 million in 14 days for their AI networking platform, Series.
The duo aims to challenge legacy social networks by facilitating meaningful connections via AI.
Series is positioned as an anti-Facebook, focusing on private introductions rather than public broadcasting.
Their fundraising journey included a pivotal connection with investor Anne Lee Skates, leading to significant funding.
Building Series is about representation and creating connections that reflect their experiences as young Black founders.
Speed is everything in startups, and Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow learned that firsthand. In just 14 days, the 21-year-old Yale juniors raised $3 million for their AI-powered networking platform, Series.
But their story goes beyond a fast fundraising round — it's about two young Black founders navigating an industry where people like them are still underrepresented. "We're 6'5, Black and technical — a direct foil to the Harvard story," Johnson says, referencing Facebook's origin story. "And that difference is the reason Series tells a new story of how people connect online."
The Vision Behind Series
Johnson and Hargrow entered entrepreneurship believing that artificial intelligence can reimagine how people build relationships online. They recognized that professional networking suffers from meaningless numbers and futile connections. Series was born to challenge legacy social networks by facilitating meaningful connections via AI.
'Serendipitous' Luck
Both founders weren't blind to entrepreneurship; they hosted The Founder Series podcast, interviewing successful entrepreneurs. A recurring theme was the role of luck in success. "Luck is what led to their first funder, the first customer, their first investor," Johnson explains. They aimed to engineer that luck with Series, utilizing AI-driven agents or "AI friends" for introductions.
The Anti-Facebook Solution
Series offers a fresh, 'anti-Facebook' alternative to social networking. Instead of broadcasting content like traditional platforms, it focuses on private introductions. Johnson emphasizes, "Social media is great for broadcasting, but it doesn't necessarily help you meet the right people at the right time."
The Fundraising Journey
Hailing from different backgrounds, Johnson and Hargrow found common ground at Yale, where both were drawn to entrepreneurship. They learned to tell a compelling story about Series, quickly transitioning from cold emails to networking with investors. Their pivotal connection with Anne Lee Skates, a Bay Area investor, led to their first major funding. Within two weeks, they secured $3 million, attracting eager investors in AI-powered networking.
More Than Just Tech
For Johnson and Hargrow, building Series transcends technology. It's about representation, access, and fostering connections they wished for in their youth. As communication shifts towards AI-assisted interactions, they believe people will gravitate towards a platform prioritizing genuine connection over curated personas. "Don't write anyone off," Hargrow advises, emphasizing the need to understand individuals beyond their surface value.
This article is part of our ongoing Young Entrepreneur® series highlighting the stories, challenges, and triumphs of being a young business owner.
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