AI-powered search engine Perplexity AI raises $73.6 million in series B funding from Nvidia, Bezos
Explore a new era of intuitive search with Perplexity AI, the groundbreaking AI search engine that recently secured an impressive $73.6 million in series B funding.
Updated: January 6, 2024
Perplexity AI, an innovative AI search engine startup, has recently made headlines by successfully raising an impressive $73.6 million in a series B funding round. The round was spearheaded by Institutional Venture Partners LLC and saw notable participation from Databricks Ventures, along with key individuals such as former Twitter VP Elad Gil, former GitHub CEO Nat Friedman, Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke, and technology heavyweight Nvidia, as well as Jeff Bezos. This substantial funding has elevated the valuation of Perplexity AI to an impressive $520 million, marking a significant milestone for the California-based startup, which was founded in August 2022 by a team comprising Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski.
What sets Perplexity AI apart from traditional search engines is its distinctive approach. Instead of the conventional search interface, the startup offers a chatbot-like interaction platform that allows users to pose queries using natural language. The AI-driven system responds with concise summaries supported by source citations, primarily from websites and articles. This unique feature empowers users to not only obtain quick answers but also delve deeper into specific topics by posing follow-up questions, creating a more dynamic and interactive search experience.
The strategic funding and partnerships with industry leaders like Institutional Venture Partners LLC, Databricks Ventures, and influential personalities including Elad Gil, Nat Friedman, and Tobi Lutke, indicate a strong vote of confidence in Perplexity AI's vision and technology. As the startup continues to refine its innovative approach to search with AI-driven capabilities, the recent valuation and funding injection position Perplexity AI as a formidable player in the evolving landscape of information retrieval and user-centric search interfaces.