Full-stack AEO platform · last updated 2026-10-14
Profound
Full-stack AI visibility and answer-engine optimization: the most-funded pure-play in the category as of 2026.
- Category
- Full-stack AEO platform
- Founded
- 2024
- HQ
- New York, NY
- Pricing model
- Contact sales
- Methodology transparency
- High
- Data exportability
- Yes
- Engines tracked
- 8 (ChatGPT Search, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, Bing Copilot, DeepSeek)
- Website
- www.tryprofound.com
Profound launched in 2024 and by September 2026 had raised more than $330 million, making it the most-funded pure-play in the category. The product covers the major AI engines, adds Exa Search coverage beyond the engines in this portal's dataset, and produces dashboards aligned with marketing leadership expectations (share of voice, competitor benchmarking, weekly trend reporting).
On methodology, Profound documents how it collects data in its help center, including a glossary and FAQ, which is why it is rated High under this portal's rule: does the vendor's own site document collection? A free 7-day trial and an Agency plan are listed on its pricing page, though enterprise terms still go through sales.
Profound is best evaluated against AthenaHQ, BrightEdge's AI module, and Conductor's AI visibility offering at the enterprise tier. The choice often comes down to existing vendor relationships and procurement preferences as much as product capability.
Standout strength
Broad engine coverage, with Exa Search tracked alongside the major engines, and a documented glossary and help center that explain how its measurements are collected.
Honest limitations
- Pricing assumes enterprise commitment; mid-market pricing is thinner.
Best fit for
Enterprises with substantial AI search investment that want broad engine coverage and documented measurement.
Frequently asked questions
- Which AI engines does Profound track?
- 8 as publicly stated by the vendor: ChatGPT Search, Perplexity, Claude, Gemini, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, Bing Copilot, DeepSeek. Engine coverage is the first thing to check against the engines your buyers actually use, because a citation you cannot see is one you cannot act on.
- How is Profound priced?
- Contact sales. Pricing is not published. Expect a sales conversation before you see a number, which also means list-price comparison against other vendors is not possible from public sources.
- Can you export raw data from Profound?
- Yes. Raw data can be exported, so you can run your own analysis and keep a record that survives leaving the platform.
- Who is Profound best for?
- Enterprises with substantial AI search investment that want broad engine coverage and documented measurement.
- What are the limitations of Profound?
- Pricing assumes enterprise commitment; mid-market pricing is thinner.
Funding & investors
Full investor landscape →Venture-backed · $334.5M disclosed · $1.8B valuation
Seed · $3.5M · 2024-08
Led by Khosla Ventures; with Saga VC, South Park Commons
Series A · $20M · 2025-06
Led by Kleiner Perkins; with Khosla Ventures, NVIDIA NVentures, Saga VC, South Park Commons, SV Angel
Series B · $35M · 2025-08
Led by Sequoia Capital, Kleiner Perkins
Series C · $96M · 2026-02
Led by Lightspeed Venture Partners; with Sequoia Capital, Kleiner Perkins, Saga VC, South Park Commons, Evantic
Series D · $180M · 2026-09
Led by Sequoia Capital, Kleiner Perkins; with Lightspeed Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, Saga VC, Evantic, South Park Commons
Reached a $1B valuation at Series C (Feb 2026), the category's first unicorn, then $1.8B at the $180M Series D (Sep 2026). The most-funded pure-play.