Perplexity, the fast-rising AI search company, has stunned Silicon Valley by making an unsolicited $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google Chrome. The move—first reported by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg—is almost double Perplexity’s own valuation of $18 billion, making it one of the boldest tech plays in recent memory.
The offer was sent to Google on Tuesday, months after Perplexity hinted it would pursue Chrome if regulators forced a sale. Google has given no sign it’s open to selling, and courts have yet to issue such an order.
In a statement to The Verge, Perplexity spokesperson Jesse Dwyer confirmed the bid’s authenticity. The startup’s chief business officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, told Bloomberg that “multiple large investment funds” are ready to finance the purchase in full.
Perplexity also pledged to invest more than $3 billion into Chrome and its open-source sibling, Chromium, over the next two years—should Google accept the deal.
This isn’t Perplexity’s first headline-making offer. Earlier this year, it also floated a bid to acquire TikTok. Whether these audacious plays are serious takeover attempts or strategic publicity moves remains a hot debate in tech circles.
Key Takeaways:
- Perplexity’s $34.5B offer is nearly double its own valuation.
- Google has given no indication Chrome is for sale.
- $3B investment promised if the deal goes through.
- Part of a pattern of high-profile acquisition attempts by Perplexity.
Source The Verge