A Startup’s Moonshot: Perplexity’s $34.5 Billion Bid for Google Chrome

In a move that feels plucked from the pages of speculative fiction but is very much rooted in today’s tech chessboard, AI startup Perplexity AI has reportedly made a $34.5 billion unsolicited all-cash bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser. The news dropped on August 12, 2025, and instantly stirred up headlines across the tech world.

A Startup Reaching Beyond Its Grasp

Perplexity’s offer is especially audacious when you consider the numbers. The company was last valued at about $14 billion just a few months ago—making the Chrome bid more than double its valuation. Despite this disparity, Perplexity claims multiple unnamed funds are ready to finance the acquisition fully.

Why Chrome Matters (And Why Perplexity Wants It)

Chrome isn't just a browser—it’s a massive user pipeline. With over three billion users, owning Chrome would provide unparalleled access to browsing traffic and user data—both critical in the AI era. Perplexity already has an AI browser called Comet, which is agentic—think conversational AI that performs tasks on your behalf, like summarizing content, comparing products, or booking meetings. But Comet doesn’t yet have the reach that Chrome enjoys.

Moreover, under growing U.S. antitrust pressure, Google might be forced to divest Chrome—making Perplexity’s offer not just bold, but strategically timed. Their proposal even goes as far as pledging to keep Chrome’s underlying Chromium code open source, invest $3 billion over two years, and preserve the default search engine—an attempt to address both antitrust concerns and reassure users.

Chromebooks and Courtrooms

This offer arrives amid antitrust litigation, with a judge poised to issue remedial orders regarding Google’s dominance in search. There’s tension between advocating for divestiture and the lengthy appeals process that could delay any actual sale for years. At this point, the suggestion alone is enough to shift the narrative—and regulatory interest—in Chrome’s future.

Context: Perplexity’s AI Ambitions

Perplexity is no stranger to bold moves. Earlier this year, the company pursued a bid for TikTok U.S., aligning itself at the center of major tech and geopolitical conversations. It’s also facing lawsuits and backlash from major publishers like the BBC, Dow Jones, and The New York Times over alleged misuse of their content and web scraping practices.

Yet despite the controversy, the company is aggressively positioning itself as a serious contender in redefining how people search and browse the web.

What’s Next?

• Will Google even consider it? Unlikely. Chrome remains central to Google’s AI/data strategy and ad infrastructure—selling it would be akin to dismantling a pillar of Alphabet’s business.

• Could regulators force a sale? It’s uncertain. The antitrust process could drag on for years, even with strong pressure from regulators.

• Is Perplexity serious or just positioning? Perhaps both. The bid might be a tactical play to influence regulatory outcomes, or a genuine attempt masked as strategic theater.

Summary: A Calculated Gamble or Visionary Leap?

Perplexity’s $34.5 billion bid for Chrome is undeniably a high-risk, high-visibility move. By dangling a massive cash offer for one of the most influential pieces of web infrastructure, it’s thrust itself into the epicenter of regulatory and competitive positioning. Whether it’s theater or foresight, it’s a declaration: Perplexity wants to be a powerhouse in the next generation of browsing, and it’s willing to bet big to get there.