Perplexity Expands Horizons: Acquires Read.cv, The Ultimate Social Media Platform for Professionals
In a significant move within the professional networking landscape, Read.cv, a platform designed for professionals that offered competition to LinkedIn, has been acquired by the AI-driven search engine Perplexity. This acquisition marks a pivotal change for Read.cv users as the platform prepares to wind down operations and shift towards new opportunities under Perplexity.
Details of the Acquisition
Following the acquisition, Read.cv will cease operations starting this Friday. Users have until May 16 to export their data, which includes profiles, posts, and messages. This transition allows users to retain their valuable information as they move forward.
Read.cv’s Transition and Future Plans
In a blog post, Read.cv expressed their excitement about joining Perplexity, stating, “We’ve long admired Perplexity and believe great things happen when the world’s knowledge is made more open and accessible.” The team is eager to collaborate with Perplexity’s design and engineering units to enhance exploration and discovery in the digital space.
Background on Read.cv
Founded in 2021 by Andy Chung, a product designer with extensive experience at companies like Facebook and Mozilla, Read.cv provided tools for users to share resumes and engage with other professionals. Key features included:
- User profiles for networking
- Job listings for organizations
- Team profiles to enhance collaboration
Recently, Read.cv introduced a feature called Sites, allowing users to create personal websites linked to their profiles. Users could even acquire a .cv domain, which will be migrated to Hello.cv starting January 31, ensuring continued management of those domains.
Perplexity’s Vision
While the specific plans for Read.cv post-acquisition remain unclear, Perplexity has been increasingly focused on enhancing corporate functionality. The company recently launched an enterprise plan that includes user management and internal knowledge search capabilities.
Investment and Growth
Perplexity has attracted substantial investment, reportedly raising over $500 million from notable investors, including Institutional Venture Partners, and is valued at approximately $9 billion. This acquisition is part of Perplexity’s broader strategy to expand its offerings and capitalize on the growing demand for AI-enhanced corporate solutions.
Conclusion
The acquisition of Read.cv is a significant development in the professional networking space, positioning Perplexity to enhance its capabilities and broaden its user base. For more updates on AI and technology trends, consider subscribing to the TechCrunch AI newsletter.
