硅谷最炙手可热的初创企业今年已筹集了1500亿美元资金，其金融支持者建议它们建立"堡垒资产负债 表"，以防2026年人工智能投资热潮转向破裂时能保护自己。 PitchBook数据显示，美国最大的私营公司在2025年筹集了创纪录的资金，打破了2021年920亿美元的历 史最高纪录，投资者争相支持OpenAI和Anthropic等顶级人工智能集团。 风险投资家和行业专家表示，随着公开市场开始担忧人工智能基础设施的巨额支出，这笔资金将有助于 创始人抵御投资低迷，同时也将推动增长。 "你应该趁着阳光明媚晒干草，"曾投资OpenAI、Databricks和SpaceX的Coatue合伙人卢卡斯·斯威舍 （Lucas Swisher）表示。"2026年可能会带来意想不到的事情……当市场提供选择时，就建立一个堡垒 资产负债表。" "（对于初创企业创始人来说）最大的风险是你没有筹集到足够的资金，融资环境枯竭，你的业务可能 归零，"富兰克林邓普顿（Franklin Templeton）风险投资联席主管瑞安·比格斯（Ryan Biggs）表示。"或 者你可以接受一点点股权稀释，如果业务成功了，这真的无关紧要：无论哪种方式，你仍然 ...

Group 1 - Perplexity AI has proposed a $34.5 billion acquisition of Google's Chrome browser to challenge Google's dominance in the online search market [1][2] - The proposed acquisition amount exceeds Perplexity's current valuation, which reached $18 billion in July, up from $14 billion a few months prior [2] - There is increasing concern regarding the threat posed by artificial intelligence to Google, highlighted by a reported decline in Google search traffic from the Safari browser [2] Group 2 - Perplexity AI is known for its AI search engine that provides simple answers to user queries and links to original web sources [2] - The company recently launched its own AI browser named Comet [2] - Earlier this year, Meta had discussions with Perplexity regarding a potential acquisition, but no final agreement was reached [2]

Core Insights - Perplexity, a startup, has reached a valuation of $18 billion following a new funding round, raising $100 million [1][2] - The company has become one of the most recognized firms leveraging generative AI to reshape core internet services since its establishment in 2022 [2] - Perplexity's valuation has seen significant growth, jumping from $1 billion to $3 billion in 2024, and then tripling again shortly after [2] Funding and Valuation - The recent funding round is an extension of a previous round where the company was valued at $14 billion [1][2] - The new capital injection has allowed Perplexity to return to its initial valuation target of $18 billion [3]

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].