Plaud targets 2028 IPO filing

The AI note-taking startup plans to file for a U.S. public listing once yearly revenue surpasses $1 billion. CEO Nathan Xu told the Wall Street Journal the company is aiming for $500 million in global sales this year.

“I find it always difficult to keep track of all the best ideas and also the details, which causes a lot of pain”

From $100M to unicorn status

Plaud has reached $100 million in annual recurring revenue and now serves more than 2.5 million users across 170 countries. The company was valued at over $1 billion as of 2025 and is currently highly profitable.

What Plaud's products actually do

Plaud designs AI-powered note-taking devices and software, including the Plaud Note that attaches to smartphones to record, transcribe and summarize phone conversations automatically.

Global expansion accelerating fast

Plaud has about 300 employees in China and 100 in San Francisco, with operations across Europe, Japan and Southeast Asia. Its Singapore headquarters grew from 10 to 100 employees in just nine months.

Talent acquisition drives strategy

CEO Xu said Plaud's main priority is hiring the best talent and acquiring companies with strong teams. The startup focuses on acquisitions that build capabilities it can't develop quickly internally, rather than chasing new users or products.

Privacy concerns shadow growth

While AI note-taking solves workplace productivity problems, legal experts warn the devices pose risks. They can record conversations without company permission or network access, creating potential compliance and privacy issues.

“The device doesn't need the company's network, software or permission. It only needs to be within earshot.”