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Perplexity AI grooming for $20 billion valuation as it seeks fresh funding and industry dominance.
The AI-powered search engine developer aims to raise new capital following rapid growth since early 2024. Reports suggest the round would value the company at $20 billion, up from its $18 billion mark in July 2025. This leap comes after a staggering 3,746% increase in valuation from $520 million in January 2024.
Industry sources indicate the funds could help finance Perplexity’s bold $34.5 billion bid to acquire the Google Chrome browser. The offer, made this week, is unsolicited and coincides with a pending US district court ruling that may compel Google to sell Chrome as part of an antitrust case. The decision could reshape the web search market, creating an opening for new AI-driven contenders.
Chrome acquisition could reshape AI and search markets
If successful, the acquisition would provide Perplexity with a direct entry point into millions of users’ daily browsing habits. It would also give the company a strong foothold to challenge Google in search, where AI-generated results are starting to replace traditional link lists. OpenAI, Apollo Global Management, and Yahoo are also reportedly exploring a Chrome acquisition.
Perplexity’s growth is supported by solid usage metrics. Data from DemandSage shows annual recurring revenue of $80 million and 22 million monthly active users. The company’s Comet AI browser, launched earlier this year, integrates natural language search with direct citations. This approach aims to deliver more trustworthy answers compared to older search algorithms.
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Rapid valuation growth fuels market interest
Perplexity AI’s trajectory has caught attention across the technology and investment sectors. The firm’s valuation climb is rare, even in AI’s fast-moving environment. Such expansion reflects investor belief in the monetization of AI-integrated browsing and search platforms. Analysts highlight that securing Chrome would accelerate Perplexity’s scale, instantly connecting it to hundreds of millions of global users.
The AI competition in search has intensified since OpenAI’s announcement of its own browser plans in mid-2025. These moves suggest major players view browser ownership as the next battleground for AI adoption. A browser integrated with AI search not only improves user experience but also secures valuable data streams.
Security remains a critical concern
The browser space faces ongoing cybersecurity challenges. Chrome has been targeted multiple times by hackers, including high-profile cases involving the Lazarus Group. In 2024, this group exploited a Chrome vulnerability via an NFT game. Months earlier, cybercriminals used a Chrome plugin to infiltrate Binance accounts. These events underline the importance of security in any ownership transition.
For Perplexity, acquiring Chrome would mean inheriting both the user base and the responsibility for maintaining rigorous security standards. Analysts believe robust protection measures would be essential to preserve user trust while leveraging AI-powered browsing.
Perplexity AI grooming for $20 billion valuation signals market shift
Perplexity AI’s bold strategy reflects a wider shift in how AI companies approach the search market. With valuations rising, competition heating up, and a potential mega-acquisition on the table, the outcome of this bid could define the sector’s direction in the next few years.
