In the evolving social networking landscape, two Yale juniors, Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow, are making significant strides with their innovative platform, Series. This AI-driven social network aims to revolutionize how individuals connect by facilitating meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships, moving away from the superficial metrics that dominate traditional platforms.
Johnson and Hargrow’s entrepreneurial journey began during their freshman year at Yale, where they collaborated on “The Founder Series” podcast, interviewing successful entrepreneurs as reported by Forbes. Through these conversations, they identified a common theme: the pivotal role of serendipitous connections in entrepreneurial success. Recognizing the challenges in engineering such “luck,” they envisioned a platform that could systematically foster these valuable connections.
Series leverages AI “friends” to introduce users to potential connections based on shared interests and goals. Users interact with their AI friend via text, describing the type of connection they seek—be it a mentor, co-founder, or industry peer. The AI then searches the Series network for a suitable match, facilitating introductions through group chats. This approach emphasizes authentic relationships over vanity metrics like likes and follower counts.
The concept quickly resonated within the entrepreneurial community. A trailer posted by Johnson on LinkedIn went viral, attracting significant attention and leading to a $3.1 million pre-seed funding round secured in just 14 days. Parable led the funding, with participation from Pear VC, DGB.VC, 47th Street, Radicle Impact, Uncommon Projects, and notable angel investors, including Reddit CEO Steve Huffman and GPTZero founder Edward Tian.
As Black founders in the tech space, Johnson and Hargrow are acutely aware of the industry’s underrepresentation. Standing at 6’5″ and possessing technical expertise, they view themselves as a “direct foil to the Harvard story,” referencing the origins of Facebook. Their mission with Series is to redefine online networking and inspire a more inclusive narrative within the tech entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Currently focusing on college entrepreneurs, Series has plans to expand into sectors like finance, education, and health. The founders aim to build the largest and most accessible warm network, facilitating genuine connections across various fields. Their vision is to create a platform where AI acts as a well-connected friend, introducing the right people at the right time.
Through Series, Johnson and Hargrow are not only addressing the limitations of existing social networks. Still, they are also paving the way for a more authentic and inclusive approach to professional networking.
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