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SoftBank ties up with Perplexity | TechCrunch

Jun 17, 2024 - techcrunch.com
AI search engine Perplexity is expanding its user base in Japan through a strategic partnership with SoftBank. The deal will see SoftBank and its mobile operations, Y!mobile and LINEMO, offering free one-year subscriptions to Perplexity's premium tier, Perplexity Pro, starting June 19. This move is part of Perplexity's international expansion strategy and its focus on generating revenue from its paid tier. The partnership also provides SoftBank an opportunity to collaborate with Perplexity on other AI-based services.

Perplexity, valued at $1 billion, is also in the process of raising another capital of at least $250 million at a valuation of between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. The company's investors include Bezos Expeditions, IVP, NEA, Sequoia, Nvidia, and Databricks. Perplexity Pro offers users access to advanced search capabilities, including the option to select from the latest large language models (LLMs) for more comprehensive information searches and data processing capabilities. The service is priced at 3,000 yen per month and 30,000 yen per year for the iOS version, and $20 per month and $200 per year for the web version.

Key takeaways:

  • Perplexity, an AI search engine, is expanding its user base in Japan through a strategic partnership with SoftBank. SoftBank and two of its mobile operations plan to offer free, one-year subscriptions to Perplexity’s premium tier, Perplexity Pro, starting June 19.
  • Perplexity has also partnered with Germany's Deutsche Telekom and is currently raising another capital of at least $250 million at a valuation of between $2.5 billion and $3 billion. Its current list of investors includes Bezos Expeditions, IVP, NEA, Sequoia, Nvidia, and Databricks.
  • Perplexity Pro, a subscription-based service, offers users access to the advanced version of Perplexity, including the ability to select from the latest large language models (LLMs) for more comprehensive information searches and data processing capabilities.
  • The startup has faced criticism from publishers over how work is credited in answers, and is currently working on revenue sharing deals. The iOS version of the app is priced at 3,000 yen per month and 30,000 yen per year, while the web version is $20 per month and $200 per year.
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