Aravind Srinivas, founder of Perplexity AI, became India’s youngest billionaire in 2025 with a ₹21,190 crore fortune. Here’s his inspiring AI journey.
Aravind Srinivas, the visionary behind Perplexity AI, has become the face of India’s deep-tech revolution. As of 2025, he has achieved the status of the nation’s youngest billionaire, debuting on the Hurun India Rich List with a fortune pegged at ₹21,190 crore ($2.5B+). His rapid ascent, fuelled by an unconventional academic path and relentless pursuit of AI innovation, exemplifies the changing landscape of Indian entrepreneurship.
Aravind Srinivas: At A Glance
- Born June 7, 1994, Chennai—early mathematical and scientific distinction.
- IIT Madras Electrical Engineering; self-taught computer science and AI.
- PhD in Computer Science from UC Berkeley.
- Research at OpenAI, DeepMind, Google; formative work on generative AI.
- Co-founded Perplexity AI, scaling to $100M+ ARR and $20B+ valuation by 2025.
- Youngest Indian billionaire on Hurun list, inspiring the rise of deep-tech innovation.
- Active angel investor, mentor, industry thought leader.
Early Life and Education
Born on June 7, 1994, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Aravind Srinivas grew up winning several national math and science scholarships, including the National Talent Search Scheme and the Indian National Mathematical Olympiad.
However, his pathway into computer science wasn’t straightforward—initially failing to secure the coveted computer science spot at IIT Madras, he was instead enrolled in electrical engineering. Srinivas’ determination shone through as he self-taught computer science, Python, and machine learning, leveraging the mentorship of pioneering professors and working late nights on collaborative assignments. This cross-disciplinary foundation would prove crucial to later success.
After earning dual degrees (B.Tech and M.Tech) in Electrical Engineering from IIT Madras, Aravind made his way to the US for a PhD in Computer Science at the University of California, Berkeley. At Berkeley, he specialized in cutting-edge AI research—topics like reinforcement learning, contrastive learning, and computer vision—earning publications in top conferences and forging global connections.
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Professional Journey: From AI Research to Startup Leadership
Srinivas’s postdoctoral years were spent at the bleeding edge of AI, securing internships and research positions at OpenAI, DeepMind, and Google—each stint crafting his understanding of generative models and large-scale language systems.
In 2021, he returned to OpenAI as a Research Scientist, working on foundational models that would set the stage for his entrepreneurial leap.
In August 2022, Aravind Srinivas co-founded Perplexity AI with Denis Yarats, Andy Konwinski, and Johnny Ho. Perplexity’s concept was simple but powerful—an “answer engine” that uses conversational AI to deliver directly cited, fast answers from across the web, blending the strengths of a search engine and a chatbot. Attracting landmark investments from global leaders (including Jeff Bezos), Perplexity soon became a household name among tech-savvy researchers and professionals worldwide.
How Perplexity AI Made Him a Billionaire
Under Srinivas’ leadership, Perplexity AI scaled rapidly. The company implemented a freemium model—offering basic searches for free, with paid Pro and Enterprise subscriptions unlocking advanced research features. Within three years, Perplexity crossed $100M in annual recurring revenue, outpacing many established AI rivals.
Strategic ad placements and a pioneering publisher revenue-share model further diversified revenue streams, making Perplexity a favourite among content creators and corporate clients.
Venture capital poured in from tech luminaries, propelling Perplexity’s valuation above $20 billion by mid-2025. Srinivas retained a large equity stake, declining acquisition overtures from Apple and Meta and setting sights on an IPO after 2028. His hybrid approach of scientific rigor, commercial savvy, and deep-industry connections redefined the Indian startup landscape.
Impact and Legacy
Aravind Srinivas credits collaborative learning, mentorship, and his willingness to rebound from academic setbacks for his success. He’s now an active angel investor in AI startups, pushing for India and the world to embrace deep-tech entrepreneurship. With Perplexity becoming the largest conversational search engine in India, his journey inspires a new generation to pursue ambitious, research-driven careers.
Aravind Srinivas’s journey—from setbacks in academic admissions to pioneering global AI—shows that relentless pursuit, cross-disciplinary learning, and the courage to build new things are the true building blocks of outsized, lasting success.