Plaud Targets 2028 IPO After Revenue Passes $1 Billion

AI note-taking startup Plaud plans to file for an initial public offering in 2028, according to CEO Nathan Xu. Xu told The Wall Street Journal on Sept. 17 that Plaud will be ready for a U.S. public listing once yearly revenue exceeds $1 billion.

Revenue growth and user scale

Plaud, incorporated in 2022, is aiming for $500 million in global sales this year. The company has reached $100 million in annual recurring revenue and serves more than 2.5 million users across more than 170 countries.

Products built around AI transcription and summaries

Plaud designs AI-powered note-taking devices and software. Its Plaud Note can attach to a smartphone to record, transcribe, and summarize phone conversations.

Profitability and IPO valuation

Xu said Plaud was valued at more than $1 billion as of 2025 and is currently “highly profitable.” The company is positioned for a U.S. listing when it clears the $1 billion yearly revenue threshold.

Hiring push and expansion in Asia-Pacific

Plaud has about 300 employees in China and around 100 in San Francisco, with operations in Europe, Japan, and Southeast Asia. On Sept. 16, the company opened a new Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore, where headcount has grown to 100 employees from 10 in nine months.

Xu said hiring is a top priority as Plaud scales, and that acquisition targets are chosen primarily for talent rather than for adding users or launching new products.