Perplexity AI Eyes Chrome Acquisition, Chases $20 Billion Valuation

Perplexity AI, the AI-powered search engine, keeps pulling off spectacular moves. Less than three years after its creation, the startup is preparing to raise funds based on a valuation of 20 billion dollars. At the same time, it submits an offer of 34.5 billion to acquire Google Chrome, amidst the legal turmoil surrounding the Mountain View giant.

Record valuation: how Perplexity AI excites the AI market

In January 2024, Perplexity AI was valued at 520 million dollars. Less than two years later, the company shows dizzying growth:

• A valuation of 20 billion dollars, representing an increase of +3,746 %; 
• More than 150 million dollars in recurring annual revenue, compared to 35 million a year earlier.

Among its investors are heavyweights such as SoftBank, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos. This momentum attracts new funds, drawn by Perplexity’s ability to combine AI language models and real-time web search. The platform already claims 22 million monthly users.

Perplexity: a 34.5 billion $ bet to acquire Google Chrome

On August 12, 2025, in addition to a valuation reaching 20 billion dollars, Perplexity surprised the market by submitting an unsolicited offer of 34.5 billion dollars to acquire Google Chrome, the browser which still holds over 60% of the global market share. This proposal comes in the midst of a legal battle between Google and the U.S. Department of Justice, which may, in the coming days, force the group to divest Chrome to limit its domination over online search.

The company founded in 2022 did not hesitate to propose an amount exceeding its current valuation. To finance this operation, Perplexity secured commitments from several major venture capital funds, without revealing names. Since its creation, it has raised about 1.5 billion dollars, including investments from SoftBank, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos.

Behind the Chrome acquisition: visionary strategy or publicity stunt?

The Chrome operation is intriguing. Some analysts see it as a pure strategy move, aiming to capture a massive market share. But also to integrate a globally adopted product. Others mention it as a spotlight meant to attract talents, investors, and users.

Voices also rise imagining a rapprochement with Apple, lagging behind in AI. Perplexity denies any such discussion! Like bitcoin asserting itself against central banks, the startup has already scored points by taking center stage in the battle for the future of search and web browsing.

Perplexity AI asserts itself as a bold challenger against the tech giants. Between record fundraising and a colossal bet on Chrome, the startup wants to redraw the map of web search and AI browsers. A strategy that could upset the global market balance. With OpenAI’s AI reading Netflix users’ minds, would it be possible soon to choose a movie on Prime Video thanks to Perplexity’s AI?