Hey Clio began with a vacation, a daughter's quiet frustration, and a challenge to her father — go fix it.
"I looked it up. It doesn't exist. You should make it."
— Co-founder's daughter, age 16
Like most high school students, she wasn't underperforming because she didn't care. She was simply overwhelmed — by a fractured system of apps, platforms, and notifications that demanded constant context-switching from a developing mind already bombarded by social media.
When her father — a veteran technology entrepreneur — asked why she hadn't turned in several missing assignments, she genuinely didn't remember them. They weren't lost out of apathy. They were lost inside a system too noisy and disconnected to help her keep track.
She didn't need a tutor. She didn't need another app. She needed someone in her corner — something thoughtful enough to help her stay ahead of it without nagging, judging, or replacing the effort she needed to put in herself.
That thing didn't exist. So we built it.
Clio is named for the ancient Greek muse of history and the accumulation of knowledge. The Muses were not teachers — they were sources of inspiration. They didn't do the work for you. They helped you find the best within yourself. That is exactly what our Clio does.
"Hey Clio" is how students talk to their assistant — Clio is designed as a voice-first experience, intentionally conversational, not transactional. It signals a relationship, not a command. The interaction begins with a greeting, not a login.
To improve student educational outcomes and wellbeing by developing AI systems that assist students in managing academic responsibilities, cultivating effective study habits, and reducing stress — and that are intentionally designed to promote healthy, responsible, and developmentally supportive engagement with digital technology.
Hey Clio, Inc. is a Public Benefit Corporation — legally accountable to this mission, not just to shareholders.
CEO & Co-Founder
A veteran technology entrepreneur, Erik has co-founded and led multiple software companies — including ventures backed by Crosslink Capital, Draper Associates, Innovation Endeavors, and Lowercase Capital. He's spent two decades building companies and products that solve problems people didn't know could be solved.
CTO & Co-Founder
Mike is a seasoned software architect who has built scalable enterprise and consumer platforms at companies ranging from Fidelity Investments, Lucent Technologies, and Cisco Systems, to early-stage startups. A long-time collaborator with Erik, he brings deep expertise in taking products from concept to scale.
Our commitment to students goes beyond words. It's built into how we're incorporated, how we build, and how we hold ourselves accountable.
Our commitment →