Perplexity AI Eyes $20 Billion Valuation Amidst Bold Google Chrome Acquisition Bid

San Francisco, CA – Perplexity AI, the artificial intelligence search engine startup, is reportedly seeking a new funding round that would elevate its valuation to $20 billion. This ambitious move comes just a month after the company secured $100 million in financing, which valued it at $18 billion in July 2025. The latest fundraising effort is also linked to Perplexity's audacious $34.5 billion unsolicited offer to acquire Google's Chrome web browser.

Founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity AI has rapidly emerged as a significant challenger in the search engine market, leveraging generative AI to provide direct, cited answers to user queries. The company's valuation has seen a meteoric rise, surging from $520 million in January 2024 to its current standing, reflecting intense investor interest in the AI sector. Perplexity's business has also seen substantial growth, with its annual recurring revenue exceeding $150 million by mid-2025.

The proposed $34.5 billion bid for Google Chrome, while not yet formally accepted or even considered by Google, highlights Perplexity's strategic intent to integrate deeply into the web browsing experience. This offer also coincides with ongoing antitrust scrutiny faced by Google, where a U.S. district court judge is expected to rule on whether Google should divest Chrome to reduce its dominance in web searching. Other major players, including OpenAI, Apollo Global Management, and Yahoo, have also reportedly shown interest in acquiring Chrome.

Perplexity AI has already launched its own AI-enabled browser, Comet, available to its premium "Perplexity Max" subscribers. This existing product demonstrates the company's commitment to expanding beyond its core search engine into broader web interaction. The company's rapid fundraising activities are aimed at fueling these expansion plans, including potential acquisitions and further development of its AI capabilities.

Despite its rapid growth and high valuations, Perplexity AI faces challenges, including competition from established tech giants like Google and Microsoft, as well as other AI innovators such as OpenAI. The company's revenue model, primarily driven by its $20 monthly Pro subscription, is still evolving. However, the continuous influx of capital underscores investor confidence in Perplexity's potential to redefine internet search and information retrieval.