Perplexity AI Seeks $20B Valuation to Bid for Google's Chrome Browser

Perplexity AI is reportedly preparing for a new funding round at a $20 billion valuation, a significant increase from its previous $18 billion valuation in July 2025 [2]. The capital raised in this round is expected to support the company’s ambitious $34.5 billion all-cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser from Alphabet Inc. [4]. If the transaction materializes, it would represent one of the most transformative deals in the technology sector in recent years and could redefine the competitive landscape in the web browser market.

Perplexity, known for its AI-powered search capabilities, has experienced a meteoric rise in valuation—surging 3,746% from $520 million in January 2024 to its current $20 billion target [2]. The firm has already launched its own AI browser, Comet, and reported $80 million in annual recurring revenue, driven by 22 million monthly active users [2]. This rapid growth has positioned it as a disruptor in the AI and SaaS industries, attracting investor confidence in its potential to scale further.

The Chrome acquisition, if completed, would grant Perplexity access to one of the most widely used browsers globally, serving as a strategic entry point into the digital ecosystem. The company has not yet disclosed how it would integrate or monetize Chrome, but analysts suggest that embedding advanced AI features could enhance user experience and unlock new revenue streams [4]. The move also aligns with a broader industry trend of AI firms expanding into search and web browsing—OpenAI, for instance, is reportedly considering its own bid for Chrome [4].

The timing of the offer is notable, as the U.S. Department of Justice has been pursuing an antitrust case against Google over its dominance in search and browser markets. A recent court ruling could force Google to divest Chrome, potentially accelerating the timeline for a sale [2]. However, it remains unclear whether Alphabet is receptive to Perplexity’s offer or whether it would prefer to pursue an alternative buyer, such as OpenAI, Apollo Global Management, or Yahoo [4].

Despite the scale of the proposed deal, both Perplexity and Google have remained silent on the matter [2]. The lack of public comments has left the future of the bid in question, though the mere announcement has already stirred significant interest in the tech and financial sectors [1][3]. Investors and market observers are closely watching how the situation unfolds, as it could signal a broader shift in how AI startups approach digital infrastructure and user data.

Source:

[1] Cointelegraph - [https://cointelegraph.com/news/perplexity-ai-fundraise-20b-valuation-google-chrome-bid](https://cointelegraph.com/news/perplexity-ai-fundraise-20b-valuation-google-chrome-bid)

[2] Coinlive - [https://www.coinlive.com/news-flash/871556](https://www.coinlive.com/news-flash/871556)

[3] CoinGecko - [https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/up-and-to-the-right](https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/up-and-to-the-right)

[4] MLQ.ai - [https://mlq.ai/news/](https://mlq.ai/news/)