Perplexity Acquires Read.cv: Expanding AI-Powered Professional Networking

Perplexity Acquires Professional Networking Platform Read.cv

Read.cv, a social media platform designed for professionals and a competitor to LinkedIn, has been acquired by Perplexity, the AI-powered search engine.

The acquisition will result in the eventual shutdown of Read.cv’s operations, commencing this Friday. Users retain the ability to export their data – encompassing profiles, posts, and messages – until May 16th.

Read.cv's Perspective on the Acquisition

A statement published on Read.cv’s official blog expressed admiration for Perplexity. The company believes that increased accessibility to global knowledge is paramount.

“We are thrilled to integrate with the design and engineering teams at Perplexity,” the post reads, “and to further our collective goal of exploration and discovery.”

Perplexity Confirms the Deal

A spokesperson for Perplexity verified the acquisition to TechCrunch through email communication, though further specifics were not disclosed.

Aravind Srinivas, CEO of Perplexity, announced the news on X, highlighting the team’s expertise. He stated they are eager to collaborate on innovative future developments.

About Read.cv

Founded in 2021 by Andy Chung, a former product designer with experience at Facebook, Mozilla, and Quip (owned by Salesforce), Read.cv provided tools for professionals.

These tools included resume sharing and industry-specific networking capabilities. The platform also catered to organizations, offering features like team profiles, job postings, and candidate search functionality.

The "Sites" Feature and Domain Migration

Recently, Read.cv introduced “Sites,” enabling users to create personal websites directly from their Read.cv profiles.

Users could also secure a “.cv” domain through Read.cv and link it to their profile. The company is transitioning “.cv” domain management to Hello.cv, beginning January 31st, ensuring continued service for domain holders.

Perplexity's Strategic Moves

The precise plans for the West Berkeley-based Read.cv team, which consisted of approximately three employees and received funding from F7 Ventures and Fanjul Capital, remain unclear.

However, Perplexity has demonstrated a growing focus on corporate-level features, evidenced by the launch of an enterprise plan last summer. This plan includes user management and internal knowledge search capabilities.

Investor Influence

These acquisitions may be influenced by Perplexity’s venture capital backers, who are likely seeking a return on their investment.

Perplexity has secured over $500 million in funding from investors, including Institutional Venture Partners, and is currently valued at $9 billion.

Previous Acquisitions by Perplexity

This marks Perplexity’s third acquisition to date. Previously, they acquired Carbon, a company specializing in connecting AI systems to external data sources.

In 2023, Spellwise was also acquired, and its CEO was appointed to lead the development of Perplexity’s mobile application.

Stay informed about AI developments! Subscribe to TechCrunch’s AI-focused newsletter, delivered every Wednesday.