College founders secure $5.1M pre-seed to build AI social network inside iMessage

Series, a social networking platform, has announced that it secured $5.1 million in a pre-seed funding round. The round included backing from investors such as Iqram Magdon-Ismail, Pear VC, Steve Huffman, and Edward Tian. The company was established early last year by Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow, both of whom are currently seniors at Yale University.

The Series positions itself as a next-generation social networking platform rather than a conventional AI application, and it stands out by operating entirely within iMessage. Johnson, who serves as CEO, explained that users interact with the platform by texting a dedicated number (Series AI) through iMessage, describing who they are and the types of people they want to connect with.

Once a request is submitted, Series AI responds with what it calls "shares" — a carousel of 10 images that users can swipe through. These cards feature posts from other users seeking similar connections. Each card includes a photo and a short description of what the person is looking for. Users can press and hold on a card to initiate a private conversation within the Series AI chat environment, without revealing their personal phone number.

Johnson, who studies computer science and economics, is building his company during a period defined by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and a surge in investor interest. He represents a cohort of founders developing AI-first businesses from the outset, a factor many investors believe gives them a strategic advantage over established players adapting to the shift.

He views the technology landscape as transitioning from traditional user interfaces to conversational ones — similar to the evolution from Google Search to ChatGPT — in which users move from browsing and clicking through pages to interacting directly with AI to find what they need more efficiently.

Johnson and Hargrow first met during their first year while working on a podcast at the Yale Entrepreneurial Society. Through interviews with founders and executives, they gained insights into building companies and recognised the importance of forming strong, warm connections.

"We then proceeded with our freshman summer to start a business independent from the club and incorporate a company around that same thesis, using AI as a warm connection facilitator," Johnson said. Hargrow, who studied neuroscience at Yale, collaborated with Johnson through several iterations of the concept that eventually became Series. About a year after developing their prototype, they refined the idea and began fundraising in March 2025, assembling a team of eight along the way.

The founders also created a now widely shared LinkedIn video to introduce Series. Johnson said the concept for the trailer came together late at night, with the team filming and editing it overnight before publishing it the next afternoon. Within two days of posting, they had connected with their first investor.

Although the platform initially focused on college students, it has since expanded to a broader audience, including Gen Z users and professionals. According to Johnson, most users engage with Series for professional networking, though some also use it for dating or finding friends. "Students use Series across more than 750 campuses," he said. "Activated users on Series retain at 82% through Day 30, higher than early Facebook's benchmark."

Other companies exploring similar concepts include Boardy AI, which also leverages artificial intelligence to facilitate introductions.

We'll use the newly raised funds to hire additional engineers and enhance the platform's capabilities. After graduation, the founders plan to keep the company based on the East Coast, where they already operate from an office in Chelsea, New York City. Johnson noted that the team frequently commutes from New Haven, where Yale is located.

"We have built an initial network for Series amongst the Ivy League and, more prominently, schools on the East Coast. Also, we have a strong belief in Silicon Alley," Johnson said, referring to the growing trend of young founders choosing New York over Silicon Valley as their base of operations.

Notably, both Johnson and Hargrow have continued their studies while building the company. Johnson described the challenge of balancing academic responsibilities with running a startup, noting that some days involve managing exams and coursework alongside leading a team. He chose not to leave school, believing he could successfully pursue both paths.

"Your extra time outside of your supposed obligation can be used to catapult what you're truly meant to do," he said. "People are often so scared to make use of their extra time."