Perplexity Unveils $50M Seed Fund to Boost AI Startups

Perplexity, the AI-powered search engine company, is launching a $50 million seed and pre-seed investment fund to support early-stage startups. According to CNBC, the company is using part of the $500 million it raised in December at a $9 billion valuation to anchor the fund, while the rest comes from external investors. This move positions Perplexity alongside major tech firms like OpenAI, which also operates an investment fund to support AI-driven innovation. The new fund is being managed by general partners Kelly Graziadei and Joanna Lee Shevelenko, co-founders of F7 Ventures, a venture firm known for backing startups such as women’s health company Midi. However, it remains unclear whether they will continue running F7 or focus entirely on Perplexity’s venture fund. This initiative follows a trend among AI companies looking to foster innovation while securing their influence in the industry. Perplexity’s approach mirrors OpenAI’s Startup Fund, which has backed promising AI ventures, though OpenAI claims it does not use its own capital for investments. Other tech giants like Google and Microsoft have also been actively investing in AI startups, seeking to expand their presence in the growing artificial intelligence market. With increasing competition in the AI sector, companies are not only building advanced AI models but also strategically funding new businesses to drive innovation. Perplexity’s latest move highlights its ambitions beyond AI search, positioning itself as a key player in shaping the next generation of AI-driven companies.