How we built $1B Startup in 2 Years | Perplexity AI, Aravind Srinivas

Dive into the future of internet search with Perplexity AI! In just 18 months, this startup has reached 10 million Monthly Active Users and valued at $1B, which makes Perplexity hit unicorn status in less than 2 years. The startup is backed by Jeff Bezos, Nvidia, and Tobi Lutke. CEO Aravind Srinivas shares the journey of building this groundbreaking product, the challenges faced, and the strategic decisions behind their success. Get an insider's perspective on how Perplexity AI is reshaping AI-driven search technology.

00:00 Intro
00:36 Academic to Startup Founder
03:03 Building the Next Gen Search Engine
07:29 How a 30-person startup challenges Big Tech

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[AaronFGC]

"the best way to learn a new topic is to force yourself to teach it to others"

very well said, what an amazing guy.

[sriramananthakrishnan]

I love how he breaks down everything he says with the rationale behind his thoughts. A very clear thinker, kinda like Karpathy

[IamKBPark]

The next google is here. Been using almost year and never go back to google to search since I can get instant answer from Perplexity. “Dont blame user for not having a good prompt. Blame AI” What a customer centric philosophy! Touching!

[vibhorkala]

Looks he has all figured out. All super impressed by how he thinks. A very fundamentally strong and ground to earth founder. Way to go Aravind

[mouizimran]

3 Top points to be learnt
1. Best way to learn, teach it
2. Be a Professor or Entrepreneur to execute your vision, either make a research paper that someone in future will make a company out of it or make it yourself. Instead of doing job and making someone else vision
3. Every point should be backed with some truth or facts.

[blindyogi]

Whoever thinks this is accidental, dont be fooled, he is an exceptional mind and well reputed in silicon valley

[inkmanworkshop]

That's one super enlightened gentleman. Wishing him all of the best, he's definitely destined for great things!

[silverchairsg]

It's really cool how their academic background (specifically the citation habit) can be transferred into the field of AI search. Another example of interdisciplinarity at work!

[tvm]

Super impressive guy! Started from a very academic background and pivoted into an entrepreneur. Normally academic guys have disdain for entrepreneurs without having any idea about what it involves. However Srinivas has learned the ropes from his Silicon Valley brethren. I wish him all the very best!

[TheJordanLeopold]

My go-to AI chat/search. Replaced ChatGPT and Bard for me super quickly when I found it, and Perplexity continues to generate better answers than the two giants.

[purusheshwarsahay]

This guy is definetely from a different world .Taking on Google needs balls.My intution is that ultimately Google might take over preplexity in not less than 25 billion Dollars.Any way this guy is a true genius.

[MarinaAgliullina]

The problem with any AI software giving you the perfect answer is that there’s never one perfect answer, never a single best point of view. The way AI guys are trying to build it and the way general audience just takes it as it is have the potential to leave us all in our separate limited bubbles. The beauty of googling or surfing through even wikipedia is that you are constantly getting multiple answers and nuances, being able to choose what suits you and go beyond your current horizons. The UX of AI products should motivate people do more research, not look for getting a single best option from a machine

[IsaMutlib]

This is such a fascinating listen. It reminds me of a quote: houses were not build on decoration but in single beam foundations. Strengthen the foundations of a startup first (first core offering) and build the best product around that"

[moshenazarathy]

Wow, this Perplexity founder perplexed me (in the most positive way). Right attitude, winning entrepreneur, ultra-sharp scientist, knows how to go about it, turning science into business... as a deliriously happy user of Perplexity, it is so revealing to find out who is behind it - this interview shows what and who is under the hood, accounts for the success trajectory of this upshooting Perplexity phenomenon, that is here to stay and keep growing exponentially. I won't be surprised if 10 years from now we might say, 'google-who?' when it comes to internet search...

[desidovah]

I just downloaded the Perplexity App. Man had I known about it in 2023, my project wouldn't have taken 6 months. Even complicated and domain specific citations are spot on! Truly revolutionary!

[canceriansharp]

Arvind, way to go. You have already done IIT Madras proud. I am sure, you will reach greater heights in USA💐💐

[ReflectionOcean]

Identify a niche market for your AI-based venture and target it effectively 0:00

Evaluate your programming and first-principles thinking to improve your skills 1:17

Leverage academic principles to build credibility and trust in the tech industry 3:49

Adapt your product's pricing strategy to ensure it reflects your true value proposition 6:25

Concentrate on a single core offering to maximize startup effectiveness and growth 7:32

Cultivate a culture of urgency and execution within your startup team 8:46

Distill complex information into one or two critical choices for better decision-making 9:24

Focus on constant improvement rather than aiming for perfection in your endeavors 10:21

Ensure that your startup's mission aligns with both your passion and the dynamic market 10:35

Prioritize product quality, user growth, and accuracy over short-term valuation increases 11:04

Recognize and embrace the fulfillment that comes with entrepreneurial challenges 11:27

[Spectre_ghost]

Indians are crushing the IT sector.. good job guys, keep growing and keep inspiring others ❤

[nadhasthirundhitan]

Just did a quick search for "who won the Australian open 2024" and it answered "Novak Djokovic" never knew this AI tool can predict the future.