速递｜AI搜索Perplexity正用1亿美金ARR撬动180亿美金估值，计划融资10亿美金

Core Viewpoint - Perplexity AI is in early talks for a new funding round that could double its valuation to $18 billion, aiming to compete with Google in the AI search engine market [1][2]. Funding and Valuation - The company is discussing raising between $500 million to $1 billion in this funding round, with negotiations still in the early stages [2]. - Previously, Perplexity was reported to have received funding offers at a valuation of $15 billion [3]. - Founded in 2022, Perplexity's valuation surged from $1 billion to $3 billion in 2024, reflecting strong investor interest in the AI sector [3]. Business Model and Services - Perplexity offers both paid and free versions of its search tools, along with additional services such as internal document search and financial query tools for stock prices and earnings data [3]. - The company currently has an annual recurring revenue (ARR) close to $100 million and reported over 15 million active users as of last March [4]. Competitive Landscape - Perplexity faces increasing competition in its core search business from Google and OpenAI, which launched a search product for all ChatGPT users last year [4]. - The company has received backing from notable investors, including SoftBank's Vision Fund 2, NVIDIA, and Jeff Bezos, although it is unclear which investors are participating in the new funding round [4].