Perplexity AI’s Jaw-Dropping Move: A $34.5 Billion Bid to Buy Google Chrome.
In what may go down as one of the boldest gambits in tech history, Perplexity AI, led by CEO Aravind Srinivas, has submitted an unsolicited all-cash offer of $34.5 billion to acquire Google’s Chrome browser. The move has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley and the global tech community—let’s dive into why it matters, who Srinivas is, and what this could mean for the future of browsers and AI.
The Offer: A Goliath Leap from a Young Startup.
On August 12, 2025, Perplexity AI delivered its proposal to Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai. The offer—$34.5 billion—is nearly double Perplexity’s own valuation, which stands between $14 billion and $18 billion.
Rmarkably, it’s an all-cash proposal, backed (albeit anonymously) by several major venture-capital investors.
The company promises to:
Keep Chromium, the open-source engine behind Chrome, fully open-source.
Invest $3 billion over two years to bolster performance, security, and support.
Maintain Chrome’s default search engine settings and ensure user choice remains intact.
Retain key Chrome personnel and guarantee at least 100 months of uninterrupted support post-acquisition.
This isn’t merely a hostile takeover—it’s framed as a remedy to the ongoing U.S. antitrust case against Google, where a federal judge recently ruled the company unlawfully monopolizes online search.
A Calculated Play Amid Antitrust Fire
The timing is anything but coincidental. In a high-profile ruling, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta declared Google’s search practices illegal, opening the door to possible remedies ranging from forced data sharing to divesting core assets like Chrome.
Perplexity’s proposal positions itself squarely within that discussion. The bid suggests placing Chrome with “a capable, independent operator focused on continuity, openness, and consumer protection”.
Meanwhile, Google is vigorously appealing the antitrust ruling, arguing splitting off Chrome or Android would harm users and technological innovation.
Enter Aravind Srinivas: From Chennai to C-Suite Shake-Up
So who is the man behind this audacious move?
Chennai-born, Srinivas studied at IIT Madras, then earned a Ph.D. in AI from UC Berkeley after working with notable deep-learning pioneer Yoshua Bengio.
He formerly interned at Google, gaining insight into the company’s inner workings
In 2022, he co-founded Perplexity AI with Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski. The startup’s AI-powered search engine quickly gained traction for delivering conversational answers in real time.
Today, Perplexity is valued between $14–18 billion, backed by heavy-hitters like SoftBank, Nvidia, and Jeff Bezos.
Srinivas himself is now a billionaire, with a personal net worth estimated around ₹223 crore (approx. $27 million).
Industry Reaction: Skepticism, Strategy, or Showtime?
Some analysts dismiss the bid as a publicity stunt, noting Chrome is deeply embedded in Google’s ecosystem and unlikely to be relinquished voluntarily.
“Where tf they get that kinda cash?”
“This is a PR stunt, they wanted to buy TikTok too.”
The Bigger Picture:
Browsers are morphing from neutral conduits into strategic AI launchpads. As AI-powered search and conversational assistants gain prominence, controlling the browser becomes equivalent to controlling user access to the web itself.
Estimates suggest Chrome could be worth $50–100 billion if a forced sale arises, meaning Perplexity’s $34.5 billion is aggressive yet maybe not entirely unrealistic from a valuation perspective
What Lies Ahead?
Google’s Response: Expected to reject the offer and drag the case into prolonged appeals—possibly delaying any remedy by years .
Perplexity’s Visibility: With this stunt—or strategy—they’ve cemented their place in the global tech narrative, grabbing attention from venture circles to competitors like OpenAI.
Broader Trend: Browsers are officially part of the next-generation AI battleground. Whoever controls them could redefine how users seek information and interact with platforms.
Final Thoughts
Aravind Srinivas and Perplexity AI’s $34.5 billion bid for Google Chrome is both audacious and symbolic—a powered-down startup challenging a tech behemoth. Whether it’s a serious acquisition attempt, a brilliant PR play, or something in between, it’s clear the future of browsing is changing—and AI is driving the shift.
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