Aravind Srinivas, CEO of AI-powered search engine Perplexity, has publicly denied claims that the company is facing financial difficulties. Responding to speculation on Reddit, Srinivas reassured users that Perplexity remains financially stable and emphasised that the company has no plans for an initial public offering (IPO) before 2028.
The rumours stemmed from user complaints about recent product changes, including the introduction of Auto mode and the removal of certain high-quality models. Some users interpreted these updates as cost-cutting measures, leading to concerns about the company's financial health. Srinivas clarified that the Auto mode was designed to simplify the user interface and improve accessibility, not to reduce expenses. He stated, "We have all the funding we've raised, and our revenue is only growing."
Acknowledging quality issues caused by rapid feature launches, Srinivas apologised for the lack of transparency and promised to implement stronger processes to enhance user experience. He also addressed concerns about model availability, explaining that certain models were removed due to performance inconsistencies and slow response times.
Despite the rumours, Srinivas expressed confidence in Perplexity's growth trajectory and reiterated the company's commitment to innovation. The CEO's candid response has helped address doubts about Perplexity's financial stability, reassuring users of the company's long-term vision.