Series, an AI-driven social networking application, has secured a $5.1 million pre-seed funding round. The investment brings together notable backers including Venmo co-founder Iqram Magdon-Ismail, Pear VC, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, and GPTZero founder Edward Tian. Founded in early 2024 by Yale University seniors Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow, Series distinguishes itself as a platform that operates entirely within Apple's iMessage, positioning itself as a conversation interface rather than a traditional app. The platform functions by having users text a dedicated phone number, "Series AI," to outline their identity and connection goals. The AI then responds with "shares," which are swipeable carousels containing up to 10 profile cards of other users seeking similar connections. Each card displays a photo and the user's specific request. Interested parties can initiate private conversations directly within the iMessage thread by pressing and holding the profile photo, all without revealing personal phone numbers. This design aims to facilitate warm introductions and reduce the friction typically associated with cold networking. Johnson, who is studying computer science and economics, views this as part of a broader industry shift from screen-based scrolling to conversational interfaces. The founders, who met while working on a podcast, recognized the value of warm connections during their freshman year and set out to build a company that leverages AI to facilitate these relationships. After refining the concept through multiple prototypes over the course of a year, the team began fundraising in March 2025. Their strategy included a viral marketing campaign; a hastily produced video trailer for the launch posted late one night attracted immediate investor interest, leading to their first meeting just two days later. The company currently serves a base of over 750 university campuses, primarily targeting Gen Z and young professionals. While initially focused on education, the platform has seen use cases ranging from business networking to dating and finding friends. Series reports a 30-day retention rate of 82%, a figure Johnson claims exceeds early benchmarks set by Facebook. The new capital will be directed toward hiring additional engineers and expanding product capabilities. Unlike many startups where founders drop out to focus on their ventures, Johnson and Hargrow remain enrolled at Yale. Johnson attributes this balance to the flexibility of their current stage, stating that extra time outside academic obligations can be utilized to advance their mission. The company plans to remain based on the East Coast, operating out of a New York office while maintaining ties to the Ivy League and East Coast academic communities. This location choice reflects a growing trend of young consumer founders choosing New York City over Silicon Valley. With eight employees currently on the team, Series aims to continue growing its network while navigating the dual responsibilities of higher education and entrepreneurship.