Series is a Gen Z-focused networking app that operates entirely within iMessage.
Yale founders Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow have secured $5.1 million for the startup.
Check out the pitch deck Series is using to attract investors for its upcoming funding round.

Daily, a text arrives with 10 photos of individuals hunting for jobs, career links, or occasionally friendships or dates.

This is not LinkedIn or Tinder reaching out. It is Series, a fresh social networking venture delivering potential matches directly into users' iMessage inboxes.

"Series was designed to craft a professional network in the space where Gen Z dwells - their messaging apps," CEO Nathaneo Johnson shared with Business Insider.

Layering a social network atop iMessage provides the "closeness of possessing someone's phone number," yet with enhanced privacy, he noted.

Users may opt to exchange direct contact details with matches from Series. By default, replies go through Series' own messaging system, housed in one iMessage thread with separate strands for various contacts and the platform's AI assistant.

Founded by Yale undergraduates Johnson and Sean Hargrow, both 22, the company garnered $3.1 million in March and lately finalized $2 million more. This elevates total pre-seed funding to $5.1 million.

Backers feature Venmo co-founder Iqram Magdon-Ismail, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman, plus VCs like Uncommon Projects, Pear VC, and Parable Ventures.

Series seeks further funds, Johnson indicated, aiming for an 8-figure seed round.

Plans include expanding the platform and recruiting engineers with seed proceeds, Johnson said. Pre-seed cash built the core team of eight and launched the product.

Series has employed creative promotions lately, such as deploying a robot sidekick for college pitches, producing reality-TV content, and crafting viral launch clips to build hype.

The primary focus now: "ensuring rapid, robust network expansion," per Johnson.

A fresh approach to networking in the AI age

Though Series supports romance or friendships, its core is aiding young pros in building networks.

Johnson noted the app initially positioned as an "AI social network, a label that holds."

"Yet we saw value in specializing the connections," he added, shifting emphasis to career ties in marketing and features.

Series joins AI challengers like Gigi and Boardy targeting LinkedIn with promises of swifter, smarter networking.

For standout Series suggestions, users long-press photos to react with emojis or message back, just like standard iMessage. They can also query the bot for specific profiles, like founders or VCs. A third-party tool enables iMessage integration. Android joins via SMS, though with reduced features, Johnson explained.

No college email required for signup anymore.

Currently free, monetization eyes enterprise plays, like selling access to companies for talent scouting.

Review the pitch deck Series shares with investors during its seed raise:

Note: Certain slides and data are redacted.