Google Chrome could be sold!

Perplexity, an AI-focused search engine startup, has made headlines in the tech world with a bombshell report. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, Perplexity has submitted an unsolicited bid of $34.5 billion for Google’s popular web browser, Google Chrome.

Perplexity Submits a Staggering $34.5 Billion Offer to Acquire Google Chrome

This offer is nearly double Perplexity’s current valuation of approximately $18 billion. The startup submitted the offer on Tuesday. This comes on the heels of rumors that the government could force Google to sell Chrome as a result of an antitrust lawsuit. However, Google has not yet signaled it will sell its browser, nor has the court ruled in that direction.

Perplexity spokesperson Jesse Dwyer confirmed the WSJ report to The Verge. The startup’s Chief Operating Officer, Dmitry Shevelenko, told Bloomberg that several major investment funds have agreed to finance the massive transaction. Perplexity has also committed to investing more than $3 billion in Chrome and Chromium over the next two years if the deal goes through.

Perplexity’s CEO states that he sees browsers as “the most important application of artificial intelligence.” He explained that this offer is part of that vision. This isn’t the company’s first major acquisition. Earlier this year, it was reported that Perplexity also submitted an offer to acquire TikTok.

This bold move is likely to resonate significantly in the tech world. Google’s and the court’s response to this offer remains to be seen.