AI search startup Perplexity has skyrocketed to a $1.04 billion valuation after securing $62.7 million in new funding. The latest round, led by Daniel Gross and joined by investors including Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, and IVP, highlights growing interest in Perplexity’s real-time, answer-focused alternative to Google. With just 40 employees, the company is already generating millions in revenue and attracting 10 million monthly users. Perplexity’s AI offers cited answers with source links, distinguishing it from traditional search engines. The funds will be used to expand product development and scale operations. As the AI arms race intensifies, backers are betting on Perplexity to reshape how people find information online.