In a stunning move that could reshape the tech landscape, AI search startup Perplexity has formally offered to buy Google’s Chrome browser for $34.5 billion, according to sources cited by Bloomberg News.
The audacious bid comes as Perplexity, recently valued at $18 billion after raising $100 million in funding, asserts that the acquisition would be fully financed by major investment funds.
The company has emphasized that it intends to maintain continuity for Chrome’s users and advertisers, promising “no hidden changes” to the browser’s operations. Additionally, Perplexity has committed to investing $3 billion over two years into Chrome and its open-source counterpart, Chromium, to bolster development and innovation.
The proposal notably excludes any offer of equity in Perplexity to Google, a strategic move to avoid triggering new antitrust concerns. This comes at a critical juncture, as U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta is expected to rule soon on the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Google.
If Judge Mehta’s ruling includes structural remedies such as divestiture, Chrome could become a prime target for acquisition by AI-driven companies like Perplexity, which are eager to leverage the browser’s massive user base and data capabilities to enhance their offerings.
Also read:
- Everyone Wants to Buy Chrome: OpenAI, Perplexity, and Yahoo Join the Race as Google’s Antitrust Battle Heats Up
- Philippines Restricts Access to OKX, Bybit, and Other Major Crypto Exchanges
- Can Alexandr Wang Lead Meta to AI Supremacy?
Even if Perplexity’s offer does not materialize into a deal, it is already influencing the conversation around Chrome’s valuation and the broader dynamics of the tech industry. With Chrome commanding a dominant share of the global browser market, its potential sale could set a precedent for how legacy tech assets are valued in an era increasingly shaped by AI innovation.
As the industry awaits Judge Mehta’s decision, Perplexity’s bold proposal underscores the growing ambition of AI startups to challenge the dominance of tech giants like Google.
