AI Start-up Perplexity Shocks Tech World with $34.5B Bid for Google Chrome
Perplexity makes shock $34.5B offer for Google Chrome, challenging Big Tech dominance in browsers and AI.
Will Google Sell Chrome? Perplexity’s Surprise Offer Raises Questions
AI start-up Perplexity has stunned the tech industry with a surprise $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google Chrome, the world’s most popular web browser with over three billion users.
In a letter to Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Perplexity argued that moving Chrome to an independent operator “committed to user safety and choice” would benefit the public. The proposal promises to keep Google as Chrome’s default search engine—though users could freely adjust settings—and to maintain Chromium, the open-source platform powering Chrome and browsers like Microsoft Edge and Opera.
🚩 Skepticism from industry voices
Despite the bold offer, leading technology investors dismissed the bid as unrealistic. Heath Ahrens, a start-up founder and investor, called the move a “stunt,” claiming Chrome’s true value could be ten times higher. “If someone like Sam Altman or Elon Musk tripled this bid, they could actually secure dominance for their AI,” Ahrens said.
Tomasz Tunguz of Theory Ventures echoed the sentiment, questioning whether Google has any intention of selling Chrome. “It’s not even clear the platform is for sale,” Tunguz told the BBC.
Regulatory pressure on Google intensifies
The timing of Perplexity’s offer is notable: Google faces two major antitrust lawsuits in the U.S. over its dominance in search and online advertising. A federal judge is expected to issue a ruling this month that could force Google to break up parts of its search business—though the company has vowed to appeal.
Google has previously described proposals to spin off Chrome as “unprecedented” and potentially harmful to both consumers and online security. The company has yet to comment on Perplexity’s latest move.
Perplexity’s rapid rise in the AI race
Valued at $18 billion in July, Perplexity is positioning itself among the fastest-growing generative AI players alongside OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini. Just last month, the start-up launched Comet, an AI-powered browser, and earlier this year offered to buy the U.S. operations of TikTok ahead of a September divestment deadline.
Perplexity’s ambitions have attracted attention from major tech firms, including Apple and Meta (Facebook’s parent company), signaling that the company’s aggressive acquisition strategy is far from over.
