Perplexity AI just secured $100 million in fresh funding, pushing its valuation to $18 billion, up from $14 billion just months earlier. Key investors, including Nvidia, SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2, New Enterprise Associates, and IVP, participated in this round.
Founded in 2022, Perplexity’s valuation increased from $1 billion to $3 billion last year, before this latest surge. This expansion stems from impressive commercial performance, with annualised revenue jumping from $35 million in August 2023 to $150 million by July 2025.
Comet browser and global collaborations
The company recently launched Comet, a Chromium-based AI-powered web browser featuring a distinctive assistant sidebar. In fact, Comet integrates search, task automation, and multi-tab workflows within an AI-driven interface.
Currently, access is limited to Perplexity Max subscribers and select invitees. The company positions Comet as the foundation for “agentic computing,” where users could streamline activities from research to email and shopping through the use of generative AI.
Strategic partnerships are also fueling Perplexity’s global expansion. In July 2025, the company collaborated with Indian telecom provider Bharti Airtel, offering all Airtel mobile and broadband users a free year of Perplexity Pro. The results were immediate: Perplexity overtook ChatGPT to become India’s top free app on the Apple App Store.
Executives from both companies describe this partnership as a crucial step toward integrating advanced AI tools into everyday life and preparing telecom networks for the coming wave of generative AI traffic.
What’s next for Perplexity?
Despite rumours about potential acquisition offers, CEO Aravind Srinivas remains committed to independence. He has reaffirmed plans for continued growth and a possible public listing. Perplexity is accelerating third-party application integration, investing in proprietary models, and aiming to become the “home page of human curiosity” for individuals and businesses alike.
