Benchmark Bets Big on Exa, Which Wants to Be Google for the AI Era

Exa, a startup aiming to become the "Google for the AI era," has received an $85 million funding round led by Benchmark. This investment values the company at $700 million. Exa is building a search engine and platform specifically designed for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models. The company's goal is to make it easier for developers and researchers to discover, access, and collaborate on AI/ML models. The funding will be used to expand Exa's team and continue developing its platform. The company claims its search engine is already being used by leading AI/ML researchers and engineers. The investment reflects the growing importance of AI and ML in the technology industry. As AI becomes more prevalent, the need for better tools and infrastructure to manage and leverage these technologies is increasing. Exa aims to position itself as a central hub for the AI ecosystem, similar to how Google has become a dominant force in the broader internet search and information landscape.