Introduction: A Billionaire Changing the AI Landscape
In 2025, India’s youngest billionaire Aravind Srinivas shook up both the tech and business world by making it to the M3M Hurun India Rich List at just 31 years old. As the CEO and co-founder of Perplexity AI, Srinivas is leading one of the fastest-growing startups in the artificial intelligence sector. With an estimated net worth of over ₹21,000 crore (USD $2.8–3 billion), his journey from an IIT student in Chennai to a global AI leader is nothing short of inspiring.
Early Life and Educational Background
Aravind Srinivas was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, where he developed a keen interest in science and technology. His academic brilliance led him to pursue B.Tech and M.Tech in Electrical Engineering at IIT Madras. Interestingly, he missed out on securing a seat in computer science, which was his first choice. But rather than seeing this as a setback, Srinivas taught himself programming, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, proving that determination often matters more than circumstance.
After completing his degrees at IIT, he went on to earn a PhD in Computer Science from the University of California, Berkeley, where he specialized in machine learning and natural language processing. This advanced training prepared him for the groundbreaking work that lay ahead.
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Early Career with AI Giants
Before starting his own venture, Srinivas gained invaluable experience working with some of the biggest names in the AI industry.
- At Google and DeepMind, he interned on complex AI research projects.
- He later joined OpenAI as a Research Scientist, where he contributed to state-of-the-art developments in artificial intelligence.
These experiences not only sharpened his technical expertise but also gave him a clear vision of how AI could transform information access for billions of people.
Founding Perplexity AI
In 2022, Srinivas co-founded Perplexity AI along with Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski. Their mission was simple but revolutionary: to create an answer engine, not just a search engine.
Unlike Google, which provides a list of links, Perplexity delivers direct, source-cited answers to user questions. By combining large language models (LLMs) with real-time web crawling, Perplexity provides clear, transparent, and reliable information. This model quickly gained attention worldwide, making the company one of the most talked-about startups in AI.
Perplexity’s Growth, Funding, and Valuation
Perplexity’s rise has been meteoric. The company has raised over $165 million in funding from top investors. By mid-2025, its valuation soared to nearly $18 billion.
In August 2025, Perplexity even made a bold $34.5 billion bid to acquire Google Chrome. While the acquisition was unlikely, the move showcased the company’s ambition to directly challenge Big Tech on its own turf.
Becoming India’s Youngest Billionaire
The success of Perplexity transformed Aravind Srinivas into India’s youngest billionaire, as recognized by the Hurun India Rich List 2025. With an estimated wealth of over ₹21,190 crore, Srinivas not only became a symbol of India’s growing influence in the AI space but also an inspiration for young entrepreneurs who dream of building world-class technology companies.
Competition and Strategy Against Big Tech
Perplexity now competes directly with giants like Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic. Srinivas has openly admitted that startups must live with the fear of Big Tech copying their ideas. But instead of seeing this as a threat, he sees it as motivation to innovate faster and build better.
Importantly, Srinivas has emphasized that he does not want Perplexity to be acquired by Big Tech. His vision is to remain independent and continue challenging traditional search models.
Controversies and Copyright Challenges
Despite its success, Perplexity has faced criticism from media organizations accusing it of copyright infringement. Since the platform uses web crawling to collect data, some publishers argued that their content was being used without proper credit .
To address this, Srinivas introduced the Publishers Program, which allows media companies to share in Perplexity’s revenue. This proactive move reflects his leadership style — adaptive, transparent, and solution-focused.
Future Plans: From an Answer Engine to an Action Machine
Srinivas’s vision for Perplexity goes far beyond being a search alternative. The company has already launched Comet, an AI-powered browser that integrates directly with its answer engine. Looking ahead, Perplexity aims to become an “action machine”, helping users not just find answers but also make decisions and take actions.
This ambition places Perplexity at the forefront of the next wave of AI innovation, potentially redefining how humans interact with technology.
Leadership Philosophy and Advice
Aravind Srinivas believes that young entrepreneurs should never be afraid of competition from Big Tech. Instead, they should focus on constant innovation, resilience, and long-term vision. His journey from IIT to global recognition proves that setbacks can be stepping stones when met with determination Aravind Srinivas .
Impact on India and Global AI Innovation
Srinivas’s success is a powerful reminder that India is not just a hub for IT services but also capable of producing deep-tech, product-based companies with global reach. His rise is already inspiring a new generation of students and startups to explore the possibilities of AI entrepreneurship.
Conclusion: Resilience, Innovation, and Ambition
The story of India’s youngest billionaire Aravind Srinivas is more than just a tale of wealth. It’s about vision, courage, and relentless innovation. From missing out on computer science at IIT Madras to building an $18 billion AI company, Srinivas has shown the world that passion and persistence can defy all odds. With Perplexity’s rapid growth and bold future plans, his journey has only just begun.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Aravind Srinivas?
He is the co-founder and CEO of Perplexity AI, recognized in 2025 as India’s youngest billionaire.
Q2: What is Perplexity AI?
Perplexity AI is an answer engine that combines large language models with real-time web crawling to provide direct, cited answers.
Q3: How much is Aravind Srinivas’s net worth?
As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at over ₹21,190 crore (USD $2.8–3 billion).
Q4: Why did Perplexity bid for Google Chrome?
The $34.5 billion bid was a bold move symbolizing Perplexity’s ambition to challenge Big Tech in the browser and search space.
Q5: What controversies has Perplexity faced?
The company has been accused of copyright violations but has addressed this with its Publishers Program, which shares revenue with media companies.
Q6: What are Perplexity’s future plans?
Perplexity plans to evolve into an “action machine”, launching AI-powered browsers and tools that go beyond search to decision-making support.