Perplexity AI, a developer of an AI-powered search engine, is preparing for a new funding round aimed at a $20 billion valuation, according to Business Insider. This capital could support the company’s recent $34.5 billion unsolicited bid to acquire the Google Chrome browser.
This prospective valuation represents a $2 billion increase from Perplexity AI’s last valuation of $18 billion, which was established during its July 2025 fundraise. The company’s valuation has surged by 3,746% since January 2024, when it was valued at $520 million.
The unsolicited $34.5 billion offer for Google Chrome was made as the browser remains central to an ongoing Google antitrust case. A US district court judge is expected to issue a ruling in the coming days, which could potentially mandate Google to divest the browser to mitigate its market dominance in web searching.
Interest in acquiring Google Chrome extends beyond Perplexity AI. OpenAI, the developer of the AI model ChatGPT, has also reportedly expressed interest in purchasing the browser. Additionally, Apollo Global Management and Yahoo are potential contenders for acquiring Google Chrome.
Perplexity AI has demonstrated substantial growth, achieving an annual recurring revenue of $80 million. The company currently serves 22 million monthly active users, according to data from DemandSage. Perplexity AI has already launched its own AI browser, named Comet.
The competition in artificial intelligence is now extending into the web search market. OpenAI announced plans in July 2025 to release a web browser intended to challenge Google Chrome. Web browsers, including Chrome, have been targets for hackers. In October 2024, the Lazarus Group exploited a Chrome vulnerability via an NFT game. Preceding this, in June 2024, hackers leveraged a Chrome plugin to compromise Binance accounts.
