Perplexity AI Secures $500 Million in Funding, Triples Valuation to $9 Billion in Six Months
Perplexity AI has reportedly raised $500 million in its most recent funding round, boosting the company’s valuation to $9 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter cited by Bloomberg. This marks a significant leap for the AI-powered search engine startup, which saw its valuation triple in just six months following a $3 billion valuation in June after an investment from SoftBank.
The latest funding round was led by Institutional Venture Partners, though neither Perplexity nor IVP have commented on the development.
This remarkable growth places Perplexity AI among a group of high-profile AI startups benefiting from a surge of investor interest in artificial intelligence technologies. Other companies experiencing similar funding momentum include Anthropic, which secured $4 billion from Amazon in November, and OpenAI, which reached a record-breaking $157 billion valuation after raising $6.6 billion in October.
Despite the rapid influx of investment, some AI startups, including Perplexity, face legal challenges. In October, News Corp filed a lawsuit accusing Perplexity of copyright infringement, alleging unauthorized use of content for training purposes. OpenAI is facing a similar legal dispute with The New York Times. Both companies have denied the allegations.
The funding frenzy underscores the high stakes and rapid pace of innovation within the AI sector, as investors continue to back cutting-edge technologies shaping the future.
