In a major development, AI startup Perplexity has offered $34.5 billion to acquire Google’s Chrome browser. The offer comes at a crucial time for Google, as it faces potential court-ordered remedies in a U.S. antitrust lawsuit that could include the forced sale of Chrome.
Perplexity’s unsolicited bid is a strategic effort to get ahead of a potential forced transition and secure a vital piece of internet infrastructure. The offer also puts Perplexity in direct competition with rival startup OpenAI, which has also expressed interest in the browser. Despite its own $18 billion valuation, Perplexity’s Chief Business Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, stated that the company has secured full financing from “multiple large investment funds.”
The company is proactively addressing potential user and regulatory concerns by promising to maintain the browser’s continuity and not make any “stealth modifications.” The offer also deliberately excludes any equity in Perplexity, a move designed to mitigate any antitrust issues related to the deal. Google has not yet commented on the bid.
This acquisition is a key part of Perplexity’s broader strategy. The company is no stranger to seeking out major online properties facing regulatory pressure, having previously made an offer to merge with TikTok’s U.S. operations. For AI companies, web browsers are becoming increasingly valuable as they serve as a platform for deploying AI agents that can perform tasks like online shopping. If the deal is approved, Perplexity has promised a significant investment of $3 billion over two years into Chrome and Chromium and to retain a significant portion of its existing team.