DeepSeek Eyes 50 Billion Dollar Valuation in First Funding
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is in talks to raise up to 4 billion dollars in its first external funding round. The national AI fund and Tencent are potential investors as the company seeks to expand its computing power and compete with domestic rivals.
DeepSeek is seeking $3 billion to $4 billion in its first fundraising round, which could value the startup at $50 billion. The move marks a shift for the China-based lab, which previously relied on internal funding from founder Liang Wenfeng. The capital injection aims to sustain DeepSeek's computing power as it competes with well-funded domestic rivals in agentic AI.
China's 60-billion-yuan national artificial intelligence fund is in talks to lead the investment, people familiar with the matter said. Tencent has also discussed participating in the round, according to three sources. DeepSeek intends to use the capital to expand its computing infrastructure and improve employee retention.
