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Scale AI Eyes $25 Billion Valuation in Potential Tender Offer Amid AI Boom

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Scale AI, a rapidly growing artificial intelligence startup, is seeking a valuation as high as $25 billion in a potential tender offer, according to a report from Business Insider. The company, which has seen rising demand for AI services, aims to leverage the current AI boom, which has attracted significant attention from major tech players.

The startup, based in California, is in discussions regarding the terms of the tender offer, which could involve investors or the company purchasing shares from existing shareholders. However, the final valuation may change depending on negotiations.

Founded in 2016, Scale AI is already valued at nearly $14 billion, as per its last funding round. The company counts tech giants such as Nvidia, Amazon, and Meta among its backers. Scale AI specializes in providing high-quality, accurately labeled data essential for training machine learning models, including advanced tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Despite its success, the company is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor regarding compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, adding a layer of regulatory scrutiny.

Perplexity AI in Talks to Raise Funds at $18 Billion Valuation Amid AI Boom

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Perplexity AI, an emerging player in the AI search tool market, is in discussions to raise funds at a new valuation of $18 billion, a significant increase from its previous $9 billion valuation in November. The startup, which is backed by Nvidia, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, and Japan’s SoftBank Group, is capitalizing on the surging demand for AI-driven search tools.

The company aims to raise between $500 million and $1 billion in this funding round, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The heightened interest in AI-powered chatbots and virtual agents has fueled investor enthusiasm for startups like Perplexity AI, which competes with established players such as Google’s Gemini and Microsoft-backed OpenAI’s ChatGPT.

Perplexity has been enhancing its platform to improve its competitive edge. Recently, it introduced a new web browser, Comet, which integrates AI to understand complex queries, perform tasks, and make decisions. Its “Deep Research” feature allows users to conduct in-depth research by searching through numerous sources, offering a more comprehensive overview on various topics.

Despite facing criticism from media outlets like News Corp-owned Forbes and Wired over accusations of plagiarism, Perplexity has forged partnerships with publishers to address these concerns.

The ongoing fundraising talks underscore the growing potential of AI startups, as companies like OpenAI also continue to dominate the sector with massive valuations, such as their $157 billion valuation following a $6.6 billion funding round in October.

Granicus Owners Consider $4 Billion Sale of Government-Services Software Maker

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Granicus, a government-services software maker based in Denver, is reportedly preparing for a potential sale that could value the company at approximately $4 billion, including debt. The firm, owned by private equity firms Vista Equity Partners and Harvest Partners, has engaged investment banks Jefferies and William Blair to explore the sale process, which is expected to begin in the second half of the year, according to sources familiar with the situation.

The discussions are still in the early stages, and the sources cautioned that the sale’s timing and details are not yet finalized. The owners are aiming for a valuation that reflects more than 20 times the company’s projected earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of approximately $175 million.

Founded in 1999, Granicus offers cloud-based software and various technology tools to governments at the federal, state, and local levels. These tools are designed to improve government efficiency, transparency, and citizen engagement, including services like website design and maintenance, public records management, and technological upgrades to help citizens better connect with public officials.

Vista Equity Partners acquired a majority stake in Granicus in 2016, followed by a merger with another Vista-backed company, GovDelivery. Harvest Partners acquired a significant stake in Granicus from Vista and K1 Investment Management in 2020. Neither Vista, Harvest Partners, Granicus, Jefferies, nor William Blair immediately responded to requests for comment.