NVIDIA is in talks to make a strategic investment in Perplexity AI at a valuation of $30 billion or more, according to reports from late August 2026 — though the size of the investment has not been disclosed.
Here's what's known about the talks, the backers involved, and why the number matters.
What is Perplexity AI?
Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine built around cited sources and autonomous agents, positioned as a subscription-based alternative to traditional search. Founded in 2023 by Aravind Srinivas, Perplexity has also pushed beyond its own app: its assistant is integrated into Samsung's Bixby, giving it reach into more than 800 million devices.
The talks: a $30B+ valuation
What's known so far:
- Investor: NVIDIA (strategic investment; amount undisclosed)
- Valuation: $30 billion or more
- Reported: late August 2026
Perplexity's last confirmed round was a Series E at a $20 billion valuation in September 2025. A $30 billion-plus valuation less than a year later would mark at least a 50% increase — though because neither the investment amount nor a formal round structure has been disclosed, this should be read as a valuation under discussion rather than a closed deal.
Who is investing in Perplexity AI?
The reported investor is NVIDIA, making a strategic investment. This wouldn't be NVIDIA's first bet on Perplexity — it also led Perplexity's Series B back in January 2024, meaning this would be its second direct investment in the company.
Why it matters
- It would cement Perplexity as a top-tier AI company. A $30 billion-plus valuation puts Perplexity in rarefied territory, competing for capital and attention alongside OpenAI and Google.
- NVIDIA's interest follows its "compute landlord" pattern. By investing directly in companies that will spend heavily on its hardware as they scale AI agents, NVIDIA secures long-term demand for its chips even as it backs the businesses using them — a dynamic also visible across the biggest AI funding rounds of 2026.
- It's a data point for AI search as a real business. Perplexity has reported roughly $750 million in annualized revenue with 223% year-over-year growth, and is reportedly targeting a 2028 IPO — evidence that AI search can be more than a feature bolted onto a chatbot, in the same vein as the broader push into AI agents funding in 2026.
Source: Nvidia Discusses Perplexity Investment at $30 Billion-Plus Valuation
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