In the field of artificial intelligence, a startup named Perplexity is rising rapidly, challenging the established giant Google. According to the renowned tech media outlet "The Information," this company, which provides conversational AI search services, has successfully completed a new round of $200 million in funding, with its valuation soaring to $20 billion. This is just two months after its last funding round.

Funding Myth: Valuation Rises Like a Rocket, Approaching the Trillion-Dollar Mark

Perplexity's fundraising speed is nothing short of an industry myth. In July this year, Bloomberg reported that it completed a $100 million funding round at a valuation of $18 billion. According to data from market data company PitchBook, since its establishment three years ago, the company has raised a total of $1.5 billion in funding. Although the lead investor of the latest funding round remains undisclosed, the previous $500 million funding in July was reported by Bloomberg to be an extension of the early-year financing led by Accel, at which time Perplexity's valuation was $14 billion.

Investment, Funding, Money

Profitability: Annual Recurring Revenue Approaches $200 Million, Market Position Is Stable

Besides its impressive fundraising capabilities, Perplexity's business model is also showing results. According to an informed source, the company's annual recurring revenue (ARR) is approaching $200 million. Just last month, Perplexity's PR representative told Business Insider that the company's ARR had exceeded $150 million, indicating that its profitability is growing rapidly, providing solid support for its high valuation.

Market Ambitions: Challenging Google's Dominance, Boldly Saying It Would Acquire Chrome

Perplexity's ambitions go beyond that. It is positioning itself as the top challenger to Google in the search field. In August this year, after the Department of Justice accused Google of anti-competitive behavior and proposed that it sell its browser business, Perplexity made an astonishing offer to Google, proposing to acquire its core product, the Chrome browser, for $34.5 billion. Although a federal judge ultimately ruled that Google did not need to spin off its search business, making this bold plan unachievable, Perplexity's move undoubtedly demonstrated its determination to disrupt the existing market structure.