In a world where social media platforms have become the backbone of online interaction, two Yale juniors are creating waves with their innovative social network, Series. Founded by Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow, Series isn’t just another Facebook or LinkedIn. It’s a platform built to change the way we connect, share, and collaborate online, and it has already raised an impressive $3.1 million in pre-seed funding.
A New Chapter in Online Connections
When you think of social networks, the giants like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn immediately come to mind. But Johnson and Hargrow are keen to make it clear: Series isn’t about collecting followers or likes. It’s about meaningful, mutual connections that offer real-world value. “Series tells a new story of how people connect online,” Johnson explains.
This refreshing approach has caught the attention of investors. Despite being just a few months old, Series raised a remarkable $3.1 million over two weeks. It all started with a trailer Johnson posted on LinkedIn that went viral, attracting venture capital funds and business angels eager to back the innovative start-up.
From Yale to Silicon Valley: An Entrepreneurial Journey
The inspiration for Series came from the founders’ experiences at Yale University, where both Johnson and Hargrow became active members of the university’s entrepreneurial society. According to Johnson, their initial interactions with successful entrepreneurs highlighted a key lesson: “They engineered their own luck,” he says. “They didn’t just trust that fate would connect them to the people they needed to meet.”
This insight led the duo to rethink how existing social networks work, which they saw as more about casting a wide net—”spray and pray,” as Hargrow puts it—hoping that one’s content would resonate with someone. This reliance on online metrics like likes, shares, and followers seemed too impersonal. Johnson and Hargrow envisioned a platform that focused on intentional connections, ones that would bring true value to users.
The Role of AI in Making Connections
At the heart of Series is an AI-powered agent that serves as your “AI friend,” designed to facilitate warm, curated introductions. Unlike other platforms, where users broadcast their content to a broad audience, Series takes a more tailored approach. Users can request help from others—whether they need a business partner, a developer, or guidance on a new project—and the AI searches the network to find the right people who can offer valuable support.
This AI assistant doesn’t just connect you with people already on the platform. It may recommend potential collaborators who are outside the network, reflecting Series’ commitment to creating meaningful, real-world interactions. “Your AI friend makes warm introductions,” Johnson says,
“It matches you with people who have effectively invited you into their lives by joining Series”
Series: Targeting Communities That Support One Another
The founders see Series as a platform that caters to specific communities, where members are not just passive users, but actively help one another. The first group they’re targeting? Student entrepreneurs. “Our goal is to connect aspiring young founders with like-minded individuals who can provide advice, mentorship, or even business partnerships,” says Hargrow.
Rich Zou, a student at Northeastern University, has already begun using Series to organize regular hackathons. He’s impressed by how personal the platform feels:
“I forgot it wasn’t a real person,” he says. “That was until I connected to a real person that it had texted me”
Looking ahead, Johnson and Hargrow see Series expanding into other sectors such as dating, health, and education, aiming to become the “go-to operating system for warm introductions across life—not just work.”
A Strong Financial Backing to Fuel Growth
The newly secured $3.1 million in funding will allow Series to scale rapidly, bringing in new hires and launching a nationwide tour to engage student entrepreneurs across the United States. This influx of financial support will also help with the development of premium memberships, potentially for corporate clients, and other monetization strategies.
In addition to venture capital funding, Series has drawn interest from several influential business angels, including Steve Huffman, CEO of Reddit, and Edward Tian, founder of GPTZero.
Navigating Competition in the Social Network Space
While the road ahead is promising, Series isn’t without competition. One notable competitor is Boardy, an AI-based introduction platform launched last year. But Series is carving out its niche by focusing on authentic connections within communities, particularly among Gen Z. The platform’s unique value proposition—fostering real, meaningful relationships through AI-driven connections—sets it apart from the typical social media giants.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Social Networking
For investors and industry insiders, Series’ innovative approach and focus on human connection signal a new era in social networking. By targeting niche communities and focusing on creating value-driven interactions, Series is poised to become a major player in the social media space.
With its current funding round led by Parable, a venture firm run by former a16z investor Anne Lee Skates, and participation from Pear VC, DGB.VC, and several others, Series is well-positioned to disrupt the social networking landscape and lead the charge for the next generation of online connections.
Stay tuned, because the story of Series is just beginning.
