A Bold Move in Tech: The ₹3 Lakh Crore Bid That Stunned Silicon Valley

In a move that blurred the lines between audacious ambition and savvy showmanship, Indian-origin entrepreneur Aravind Srinivas, CEO of the cutting-edge AI startup Perplexity AI, has thrown down the gauntlet—offering an eye-watering $34.5 billion (over ₹3 lakh crore) cash bid to acquire Google’s Chrome browser.

At first glance, the proposal seems almost theatrical. Perplexity, after all, is a relatively young venture, still carving its place in the fierce AI-search arena. Yet, Srinivas’s offer is almost double the startup’s own valuation—raising eyebrows, sparking debates, and drawing both awe and skepticism in equal measure.

Why Now? Why Chrome?

The timing is no accident. Courts are scrutinizing Google’s dominance in search, and one possible regulatory outcome could be a mandate to divest Chrome. Perplexity’s unsolicited offer appears designed to capitalize on that environment—framed as a forward-thinking move to ensure continuity, openness, and user choice. The plan pledges to:

• Keep Chrome’s underlying Chromium code open-source,
• Retain Google as the default search engine,
• Invest $3 billion over the next two years to enhance the browser.

By positioning itself as a responsible steward rather than a hostile acquirer, Perplexity aims to position its pitch as constructive rather than combative.

Reality or Ruse?

Make no mistake—this is a high-stakes gambit. Analysts are split. Some see it as a masterstroke of marketing: as a three-year-old startup, Perplexity is suddenly grabbing global headlines. Others question its sincerity: would Google really part ways with Chrome—an integral piece of its AI and search ecosystem?

Yet, even those who doubt the deal’s feasibility acknowledge its impact. It has undeniably thrust Perplexity into the limelight, elevating its profile and placing it firmly on the global map.

From Chennai to Center Stage

Srinivas, a Chennai (formerly Madras) native and IIT Madras alumnus, later earned a Ph.D. in Computer Science from UC Berkeley. Before founding Perplexity in 2022 with partners Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski, he honed his craft at tech powerhouses like Google, OpenAI, and DeepMind.

Though still modest in revenue—Perplexity is estimated to earn around $50 million per year—its cutting-edge “answer engine” has made waves by delivering conversational, cited responses instead of the usual search-link clutter. The launch of its AI browser Comet further signals the company’s ambitious future.

What’s Next?

Srinivas himself enjoys billionaire status, with a personal net worth estimated at $1 billion. And while many online have taken a humorous view—calling the bid “crazy,” “clown behavior,” or just part of a “guerilla marketing” stunt—there’s more than jest here.

Whether Google engages, ignores, or quietly dismisses the proposal, one thing is clear: in the high-velocity world of AI, signaling ambition—and doing it boldly—can be as impactful as any quietly executed strategy.