Perplexity AI, a California-based startup, has secured $73.6 million in a series B round of funding, bringing the total funds raised to $100 million. The investment was led by IVP, with support from NEA, Databricks, Nvidia, Bessemer Ventures, and Kindred Ventures. Notably, tech visionaries such as Jeff Bezos, Nat Friedman, and Tobi Lutke have also backed Perplexity.
The company aims to revolutionize knowledge discovery with its AI-native search engine platform, challenging heavyweights like Google and Microsoft. By offering an AI-driven, conversational search experience, Perplexity aims to eliminate the need for multiple clicks, comparisons, and sift through irrelevant information. The platform also provides model flexibility and access to cutting-edge LLMs through a paid tier.
Despite the company’s significant growth, with 10 million monthly active users and over half a billion queries served in 2023, it faces challenges competing with established giants like Google and Microsoft, who are integrating generative AI into their search engines. Perplexity’s unique selling points, including model flexibility and the absence of ads in search results, will be crucial in its efforts to scale and compete against these industry behemoths.
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