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Perplexity launches $50M seed and pre-seed VC fund

Perplexity is launching a $50 million seed and pre-seed VC fund, mainly sourced from limited partners, utilizing part of its own fundraising. The company raised $500 million at a $9 billion valuation in December. Managed by its co-founders of F7 Ventures, the fund aims to support early-stage startups. Unlike OpenAI's fund, which does not use its own capital, Perplexity is anchoring its fund with its raised capital.

Key points

  • Perplexity has launched a $50M seed and pre-seed VC fund.
  • Most of the fund's capital comes from limited partners.
  • Part of the capital raised for Perplexity's growth is allocated to this fund.
  • In December, Perplexity raised $500M at a $9B valuation.
  • The fund is managed by Kelly Graziadei and Joanna Lee Shevelenko.
  • Graziadei and Shevelenko co-founded F7 Ventures in 2018.
  • F7 Ventures has invested in startups like women's health company Midi.
  • The future role of Graziadei and Shevelenko in F7 remains unclear.
  • OpenAI manages its own fund but does not use its capital for investments.

Why it matters

  • The rise of AI-driven ventures is a significant trend in 2025, as more companies focus on innovative technologies.
  • Seed and pre-seed investment funds have grown in popularity, enabling startups to secure early funding.
  • Perplexity's fund reflects the increasing trend of established tech companies creating their own funds to support emerging startups.
  • The investment strategies differ among tech giants, with some using their own capital and others, like OpenAI, opting for external capital.

Perplexity's $50M fund signifies a strategic move to strengthen its ecosystem by investing in early-stage startups, paralleling current trends in AI investment and collaborative growth among tech innovators.