Core Viewpoint - Perplexity, a three-year-old AI startup, has made a bold move by offering to acquire Google's Chrome browser business for $34.5 billion in cash, nearly double its latest valuation of $18 billion, marking a significant moment in tech history [2][21]. Group 1: Company Overview - Perplexity was founded in 2022 by former Google AI researcher Aravind Srinivas, focusing on an AI-driven "answer engine" that provides concise answers with source links for credibility [6]. - The company's valuation has skyrocketed from $500 million in early 2024 to $1.4 billion by May 2025, and then to $18 billion in July 2025, showcasing rapid growth [7]. - Despite having an annual recurring revenue of just under $100 million, Perplexity's valuation implies a staggering price-to-sales ratio of 180 times, which is uncommon in the tech sector [9]. Group 2: Acquisition Proposal - The acquisition proposal comes at a critical time as the U.S. Department of Justice is pursuing antitrust litigation against Google, with a potential remedy being the forced divestiture of Chrome [13][14]. - Perplexity's offer is positioned as a solution to the antitrust concerns, claiming it would serve the "highest public interest standard" by allowing Chrome to operate independently [15]. - The proposal includes commitments to maintain the Chromium open-source project and invest over $3 billion in Chrome and Chromium over the next two years [16]. Group 3: Market Reaction and Implications - The tech industry reacted strongly to the news, with Google's stance being clear: it has no intention of selling Chrome, citing potential harm to business development and innovation [18]. - Analysts generally believe the likelihood of the deal succeeding is low, as the court may opt for less drastic measures than a forced sale [20]. - Regardless of the outcome, Perplexity's bold move has significantly raised its profile and demonstrated its ambition to challenge industry giants in the AI era [21][23].
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