Profound Reaches $1.8 Billion Valuation With $180 Million Series D for AI Search Marketing

Profound, a startup helping brands improve their visibility in AI-powered search results, has raised $180 million in Series D funding at a $1.8 billion valuation.

The funding round was led by Sequoia and Kleiner Perkins, with participation from existing investors including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures and South Park Commons. The raise comes less than seven months after Profound secured a $96 million Series C.

Profound targets the growing AI search market

Founded two years ago, Profound initially launched as an analytics platform before expanding into tools that help companies understand how customers discover brands through AI systems.

The company operates in the growing GEO and AEO market, focused on helping businesses improve their presence in generative AI search experiences and answer engines.

As consumers increasingly use AI tools to find information and recommendations, companies are looking for ways to understand how their brands appear in AI-generated responses and how to improve their visibility.

Enterprise adoption drives growth

Profound said its revenue has grown threefold over the past six months and that the platform now serves more than 1,000 enterprise customers.

Its customers include major brands such as Comcast, The Estée Lauder Companies and Walmart, which use the platform to research AI-driven customer discovery and develop marketing strategies.

The latest funding gives Profound additional resources as it continues building software for companies adapting their marketing strategies around AI-based search.