In a seismic twist that’s shaking Silicon Valley to its core, the audacious three-year-old startup Perplexity AI, helmed by Indian-origin disruptor Aravind Srinivas, has hurled a ₹3 lakh crore thunderbolt at tech titan Alphabet Inc.—offering to buy none other than its crown jewel: Google Chrome
A Bold Bid to Reshape the Internet
Perplexity AI, just three years old, has reportedly secured ₹70,000 crore in funding from major investors including Nvidia and SoftBank, among others. The startup aims to capitalize on a rare opportunity created by legal turbulence surrounding Alphabet’s dominance in online search. Last year, a U.S. court ruled that Alphabet’s monopoly in search was unlawful, prompting the Department of Justice to demand divestment of key assets—most notably, Google Chrome. While Alphabet has not officially agreed to sell Chrome, Perplexity’s offer is seen as a strategic attempt to preempt regulatory pressure.
Legal Storm and Strategic Moves
Alphabet is currently preparing to appeal the court’s decision, but if forced to divest, Chrome could become the most significant tech asset ever put on sale. Perplexity’s valuation would need to skyrocket to meet the financial demands of such a deal. This isn’t the first time Perplexity has made headlines with bold proposals. In January, the company offered to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations, suggesting a merger with its own platform to counter rising regulatory scrutiny.
The Srinivas Strategy
Aravind Srinivas, the visionary behind Perplexity, is known for his aggressive and unconventional tactics. His latest move signals a desire to redefine how users interact with the internet—by owning the gateway itself. Whether Alphabet accepts the offer or not, one thing is clear: Perplexity AI is no longer just a startup—it’s a disruptor with global ambitions.