Roy Lee, CEO of the AI startup Cluely, recently admitted that the $7M annual recurring revenue figure he publicly shared last year was false. Lee said the number he gave in 2025 was “the only blatantly dishonest thing” he had said publicly online and issued a formal retraction. The admission sparked controversy because the revenue claim had previously helped shape the startup’s public narrative during its rapid rise and fundraising. The episode has become a cautionary moment in the startup world about hype, transparency, and how quickly bold growth claims can attract scrutiny. Follow entrepreneurbeingentrepreneur for more content like this! #startups #ai #cluely #tech #business