Profound achieves unicorn status with $180M Series D funding

Profound, a company specialising in marketing software for AI search visibility, announced a $180 million Series D funding round. This latest investment has elevated the startup's valuation to $1.8 billion. The funding comes less than seven months after Profound closed its $96 million Series C round.

The company raised $180 million in its Series D round, achieving a post-money valuation of $1.8 billion. Profound reported a threefold increase in its revenue over the past six months and currently serves more than 1,000 enterprise clients, including major corporations such as Comcast, The Estée Lauder Companies, and Walmart.

The Series D funding round was co-led by Sequoia and Kleiner Perkins. Existing investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, and South Park Commons, also participated in this latest investment.

Profound develops marketing software designed to help businesses enhance their presence in AI search results. The company, launched two years ago as an analytics platform, has expanded its offerings to include research and strategy development for marketing. It operates within the emerging generative engine optimisation (GEO) and answer engine optimisation (AEO) sectors, addressing the growing trend of consumers using AI systems for product discovery.

The rapid growth of Profound, evidenced by its increased valuation and customer base, highlights the expanding market for tools that help brands navigate AI-driven search environments. As AI systems become more integral to consumer search behaviour, companies like Profound are crucial for businesses aiming to maintain visibility and engagement.