AI search startup Perplexity AI has closed a $1 billion funding round at an $18 billion valuation, with plans to launch a dedicated consumer hardware device that could challenge traditional smartphones.
The Funding
The round was led by SoftBank Vision Fund with participation from Nvidia, Jeff Bezos, and Andreessen Horowitz. Perplexity now has 100 million monthly active users, up from 15 million a year ago.
- Funding: $1 billion Series C
- Valuation: $18 billion
- Monthly active users: 100 million
- Revenue run rate: $500 million
Hardware Plans
CEO Aravind Srinivas confirmed the company is developing an "AI-native device" that prioritizes conversational interaction over traditional app-based interfaces. The device is expected to launch in Q1 2027.
