Perplexity has made an unsolicited offer to acquire Google Chrome for $34.5 billion, significantly exceeding the startup’s current valuation. Reports from The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg detail that the proposal was submitted on Tuesday, mere months after Perplexity indicated potential interest in purchasing Chrome should regulatory measures require Google to offload its browser.
Earlier this year, the startup also approached TikTok with a similar acquisition offer. Google has yet to signal any willingness to sell Chrome, and no court rulings have mandated a sale to date.
A representative from Perplexity, Jesse Dwyer, confirmed the accuracy of WSJ‘s coverage to Technology News. The proposed bid for Chrome contrasts sharply with Perplexity’s existing valuation, estimated at approximately $18 billion.
Dmitry Shevelenko, the Chief Business Officer of Perplexity, informed Bloomberg that “multiple large investment funds have agreed to finance the transaction in full.” Additionally, a spokesperson for Perplexity stated that the company is prepared to invest over $3 billion in Chrome and Chromium within the next two years if Google accepts their offer.
