Big Tech is buzzing. San Francisco-based Perplexity AI—a fast-rising startup backed by Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), SoftBank, and Jeff Bezos—has stunned the market with an unsolicited $34.5 billion cash bid to buy Google’s Chrome browser, according to Bloomberg.
The timing is explosive: the offer arrives just as U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta prepares to rule on the government’s antitrust case against Google, which could force Chrome to be spun off to open competition in online search.
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A Bid Bigger Than the Startup Itself
Here’s where it gets even wilder—Perplexity’s $34.5B proposal is larger than its own valuation. The company, founded in 2022, is currently raising funds at a $20 billion valuation (up from $18B last month).
Perplexity’s pitch: combine large language models + real-time search to disrupt the web as we know it. The firm has already drawn comparisons to ChatGPT, Google Search, and Bing AI—but a Chrome acquisition would instantly put it at the center of the internet ecosystem.
Deal Details: Cash Only, Open Source Commitment
According to Bloomberg, the bid is 100% cash with financing already pledged from unnamed “large investment funds.” Key commitments include:
Keeping Chromium code open-source
$3B in fresh investments over two years
Maintaining Google as Chrome’s default search engine (at least for now)
Notably, there’s no equity swap—Perplexity is betting big with straight-up cash.
Analysts Say Chrome Is Worth Far More
Not everyone is buying the hype. Some Wall Street analysts argue Chrome is worth $100B+, far above Perplexity’s offer.
Colin Sebastian of Robert W. Baird & Co. told Bloomberg the bid “should not be taken seriously” since it “vastly undervalues the asset.” He also noted that a spinoff could risk “lower-quality, less reliable” products for users.
In other words—great headline, but slim odds.
Antitrust Pressure on Google
The backdrop here is the landmark DOJ vs Google case. Regulators have accused Alphabet (NASDAQ: GOOG, GOOGL) of illegally monopolizing the search market. Proposed remedies include:
Forcing Chrome to be divested
Licensing search data to rivals
Still, legal experts warn that even if Judge Mehta orders divestiture, appeals could drag the process out for years.
Why This Story Is Going Viral
David vs Goliath: A $20B startup trying to buy a $100B+ product.
AI vs Big Tech: Perplexity is leaning on its AI-first identity to challenge Google.
Timing: Comes at the very moment regulators are circling Google.
Whether this deal is real or just tech theater, it’s a bold reminder: the AI era is reshaping power in Silicon Valley faster than anyone expected.
FAQ
Q1. What is Perplexity AI?
Perplexity AI is a San Francisco-based startup (founded 2022) that combines large language models with web search to deliver real-time answers. It’s seen as an “AI-native search engine” competitor to Google and Bing.
Q2. Did Perplexity really bid $34.5 billion for Chrome?
Yes, Bloomberg reports Perplexity made a formal all-cash offer to acquire Chrome from Google, though industry analysts doubt Google—or regulators—will approve it.
Q3. Why would Google sell Chrome?
Google wouldn’t voluntarily sell Chrome. However, ongoing antitrust litigation could, in theory, force a Chrome divestiture if regulators see it as necessary to increase competition in search.
Q4. Is Chrome really worth only $34.5 billion?
Analysts argue Chrome could be worth closer to $100B+, given its global dominance and integration into Google’s ecosystem.
Q5. What happens next?
Judge Amit Mehta’s ruling in the DOJ antitrust case is expected soon. Even if divestiture is ordered, appeals could delay or prevent a Chrome sale for years.
