Startup Valued at $9 Billion as It Expands with Key Acquisitions
AI-powered search engine Perplexity has raised $500 million in a funding round that values the company at an impressive $9 billion, according to a Bloomberg report citing sources familiar with the matter. The round, reportedly led by Institutional Venture Partners, was finalized earlier in December.
When contacted by TechCrunch, a Perplexity spokesperson declined to comment on the funding.
The investment arrives as competition in the AI-driven search sector grows fiercer. OpenAI recently introduced ChatGPT Search, a direct challenge to Perplexity’s market position, while Google is actively enhancing its search capabilities with features like AI-generated summaries and potential plans for a chatbot-style “AI mode” embedded directly into its platform, according to The Information.
Despite facing a class action lawsuit over alleged copyright infringement, Perplexity is forging ahead with its growth strategy. On Wednesday, the company announced its acquisition of Carbon, a startup focused on integrating AI systems with external data sources. This marks Perplexity’s second acquisition in recent months, signaling its intent to solidify its position in the competitive AI search industry.
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