A New Chapter in Social Networking
For years, social media has been about likes, followers, and curated perfection. But now, a new platform called Series is turning the tide. It’s built for college students (sounds familiar to another social media platform’s beginning) and uses AI agents to enable real, meaningful connections — without chasing numbers.
Series is not just another app. It is a social experiment backed by a powerful vision and smart technology. And now, it’s stepping into the spotlight with $3 million in pre-seed funding.
From a Viral Idea to Silicon Valley
The founders of Series, Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow, are juniors at Yale. Their journey began with a podcast interviewing student founders, which evolved into a viral chatbot. That project led to Series—an AI social network with a clear mission: rebuild human connection.
Just two weeks ago, a trailer shared by Johnson caught the attention of the startup world. It quickly spread through college circles. Soon after, they flew to Silicon Valley. The response was electric. They closed their pre-seed funding round in just 14 days.
Leading the round was Parable, a fund started by former a16z investor Anne Lee Skates. Other backers include Pear VC, Tim Draper’s DGB.VC, and even Reddit’s CEO, Steve Huffman.
What Makes Series Different?
Most social platforms rank people by followers or likes. But Series flips that idea. It uses AI Friends to make smart introductions. These bots live in iMessage and learn about the user over time. Then, they suggest new connections—but only when there’s value on both sides.
This means no random friend requests, no guesswork, and no metrics that boost vanity. Just people being introduced to others who can truly help or inspire them.
You don’t scroll. You don’t perform. You engage. And it all starts with a simple text to your AI Friend.
A Trusted Space for Students
Only students with a .edu email can join Series. This makes the community safer and more focused. When a student signs up, their AI Friend starts chatting with them. It learns about their interests, strengths, and connections.
Then, it builds a minimalist profile — nothing flashy, just real information. When the AI finds a possible match, it texts both users to make an introduction. Each person must agree. This double opt-in builds trust and makes every connection feel personal.
Over 32,000 messages have already been exchanged on the platform. That’s a strong early signal for a startup that’s only just launched.
Why This Matters for Gen Z
Young people today are tired of digital performance. The dopamine rush of likes has worn off. Instead, they crave authenticity, trust, and value in their connections.
Series meets Gen Z where they already spend their time—iMessage. But it goes beyond convenience. It uses AI to reduce social anxiety, remove bias, and open doors to new relationships that matter.
As Johnson explains, “We’re not just building a company; we’re telling a new story of how people meet online.”
A Bold Vision for the Future
The team behind Series isn’t stopping with college students. Once they establish a strong base, they plan to expand into finance, healthcare, education, and even dating.
Each of these fields relies on trust and warm introductions. Series wants to be the go-to platform for that across industries. Their long-term goal? One billion AI Friends helping people connect across the globe.
Imagine a future where you text your AI Friend for a job lead, a mentor, or even a doctor recommendation — and it delivers a warm, trusted connection in seconds.
What We Think?
Well, Series is not just riding the AI wave. It’s using it with purpose. By removing vanity metrics and focusing on mutual value, it challenges what we’ve come to accept from social media.
It also proves that innovation doesn’t always come from Silicon Valley veterans. Sometimes, it comes from students who just want to make the internet a little more human.
With strong backing, a clear mission, and early traction, Series could redefine how the next generation builds relationships — online and offline.
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