Perplexity Bids Billions for Chrome – Far More Than It’s Raised
▼ Summary
– Perplexity has made an unsolicited $34.5 billion cash offer to buy Chrome from Google, promising to keep Chromium open source and invest $3 billion in it.
– The offer includes a commitment to maintain Chrome’s current user defaults, leaving Google as the default search engine instead of replacing it with Perplexity’s AI option.
– The bid follows a DOJ proposal to force Google to sell Chrome after a court ruled the company illegally maintained a search monopoly, though Google has vowed to fight the ruling.
– Perplexity’s offer exceeds its current $18 billion valuation and $1.5 billion total funding, raising questions about financing feasibility.
– Perplexity recently launched its own browser, Comet, and reportedly bid to merge with TikTok, signaling aggressive expansion moves.
Perplexity has made headlines with an audacious $34.5 billion cash offer to acquire Google’s Chrome browser, a move that would reshape the digital landscape if successful. The AI-powered search startup confirmed the unsolicited bid, which includes commitments to maintain Chromium as open-source and invest an additional $3 billion into the project. Notably, Perplexity has pledged to preserve Chrome’s default settings, leaving Google Search as the primary engine rather than replacing it with its own AI alternative.
The timing aligns with ongoing legal pressures on Google. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice proposed forcing the tech giant to divest Chrome after a court ruled it unlawfully maintained a search monopoly. Google has resisted the idea, but if the court mandates a sale, competitors like Perplexity and OpenAI could trigger a bidding war. Chrome’s dominance, holding 68% of the global browser market, makes it a highly coveted asset, with DuckDuckGo’s CEO suggesting its value could exceed $50 billion.
Financially, the offer raises eyebrows. Perplexity’s $34.5 billion bid dwarfs its $18 billion valuation and the $1.5 billion it has raised from investors, including a recent $100 million funding round. The discrepancy highlights the startup’s aggressive ambitions, though securing such a deal would require unprecedented financing.
Meanwhile, Perplexity isn’t putting all its eggs in one basket. Last month, it launched Comet, its own browser, to reduce reliance on third-party platforms like Chrome. The company also reportedly explored a merger with TikTok, signaling a broader strategy to expand its AI-driven ecosystem.
As the legal battle unfolds, the tech world watches closely. Should Google be compelled to sell, the ripple effects could redefine competition in search, browsing, and AI, with Perplexity positioning itself as a disruptive force.
(Source: TechCrunch)
