PrivatePulse·Companies·Anduril Industries vs Perplexity AI

Anduril Industries vs Perplexity AI: employee equity compared

Secondary market prices, valuation trajectory, equity structure, and liquidity outlook for employees choosing between Anduril Industries and Perplexity AI.

Secondary market data updated monthly · Sources: Hiive, Forge

Anduril Industries

Defense · Costa Mesa, CA · Founded 2017

Defense technology — autonomous systems (Roadrunner, Ghost, Bolt), command software (Lattice), and counter-drone.

Last primary round$61B · Series H (2026-05)
Secondary market$61B (+0% vs primary)
Annual revenue$2.2B ARR · +100% YoY (very fast)
Headcount~5,000
Equity typeISO/NSO
Strike price range$110–$145 (depends on cohort)
Illiquidity discount~15%
Last round leadThrive Capital / Andreessen Horowitz
Liquidity outlook

IPO possible 2026–2028 as scale builds. No confirmed timeline; tender offers may provide interim liquidity.

Key equity angle

Government-contract stability; ISO/NSO options; longer liquidity timeline vs consumer tech

↑ Higher secondary premium

Perplexity AI

Consumer AI · San Francisco, CA · Founded 2022

AI-native answer engine and emerging consumer search alternative to Google.

Last primary round$22.6B · Series E extension (2026-01)
Secondary market$22.6B (+0% vs primary)
Annual revenue$0.5B ARR · +250% YoY (very fast)
Headcount~800
Equity typeISO/NSO
Strike price range$60–$85 (depends on cohort)
Illiquidity discount~20%
Last round leadInstitutional Venture Partners
Liquidity outlook

IPO plausible 2027–2029 if growth trajectory holds. Liquidity may come via tender offer or strategic acquisition before listing.

Key equity angle

Consumer AI with viral growth; ISO/NSO options; small team = outsized equity per person

Key differences for employees

Equity structure

Anduril Industries grants ISO/NSO with strike prices ranging from $110–$145 depending on your grant year. Perplexity AI grants ISO/NSO with strike prices from $60–$85.

Secondary market premium

The secondary market is pricing Anduril Industries at a +0% premium over its last primary round ($61B$61B). Perplexity AI trades at +0% over its last round ($22.6B$22.6B). A higher secondary premium signals stronger investor demand and potentially better near-term liquidity for employees looking to sell.

Revenue and growth

Anduril Industries runs at $2.2B ARR, growing +100% YoY (very fast). Perplexity AI runs at $0.5B ARR, growing +250% YoY (very fast). Revenue growth rate matters for equity because it drives the peer-multiple valuation — the method most correlated with exit multiples.

Liquidity timeline

Anduril Industries: IPO possible 2026–2028 as scale builds. No confirmed timeline; tender offers may provide interim liquidity.

Perplexity AI: IPO plausible 2027–2029 if growth trajectory holds. Liquidity may come via tender offer or strategic acquisition before listing.

Calculate your specific grant

Enter your actual shares, equity type, and strike price. PrivatePulse calculates your personal equity value at both companies using 4 independent methods.

Frequently asked questions

Is Anduril Industries or Perplexity AI a better company to work at for equity?
There's no universal answer — it depends on your risk profile, time horizon, and specific grant terms. Anduril Industries at $61B and Perplexity AI at $22.6B offer very different risk/reward profiles. Use the calculator above to model your exact grant at each company.
How do I know if my Anduril Industries or Perplexity AI equity is fairly priced?
Compare your grant's implied per-share value against the secondary market price. If investors are paying a premium on Hiive or Forge over the last primary round, that's a signal of strong demand. PrivatePulse shows you the gap between your 409A and what the secondary market says.
Can I sell my Anduril Industries or Perplexity AI shares on the secondary market?
Secondary market transactions (Hiive, Forge, Caplight) require accredited investor status and your company's consent — most private companies have right-of-first-refusal (ROFR) provisions. Tender offers, when available, are typically the most accessible path to partial liquidity for employees.

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