Two Yale students have raised a hefty $5.1 million pre-seed round to build Series, an innovative social networking app that operates through iMessage. The platform, co-founded by Nathaneo Johnson and Sean Hargrow, aims to connect users via images of posts from others willing to chat.

Johnson highlights the shift towards conversation interfaces in technology, likening it to how search engines have evolved into conversational AI. He sees Series as a key player in this transformation, leveraging AI to facilitate warm connections across various user groups.

The duo's journey began after working on a podcast with the Yale Entrepreneurial Society. Their pivot from interviewing founders to creating their own platform was swift and strategic. They launched in March 2025, quickly attracting investors including Venmo co-founder Iqram Magdon-Ismail and Reddit CEO Steve Huffman.

Series is targeting Gen Z and professionals, with a focus on business connections. Students across more than 750 campuses use the platform, retaining at an impressive 82% through Day 30. The company plans to hire more engineers and expand its product capabilities using the new funds.

Nathaneo Johnson's journey is emblematic of young founders in the AI-first era. His commitment to balancing entrepreneurship with academic responsibilities showcases a unique approach, proving that extra time can indeed be fruitful for innovation.