17 hrs ago
DeepSeek Weighs Doubling Funding Round to Nearly $15 Billion
DeepSeek is a Chinese company that builds artificial intelligence.
It is considering raising up to 100 billion yuan, or about $14.9 billion, in a new funding round.
Reports say more investors want to put money into the company than it first expected.
DeepSeek is reportedly choosing which investors it will accept, with a preference for government-backed and corporate funds.
Some companies and investment firms have already committed money, while Tencent has been named as a possible backer.
DeepSeek is seeking a valuation of about $75 billion.
Its founder says developing advanced AI is more important than making short-term profits.
The company has also reportedly begun preparing for a possible stock-market listing in Shanghai.
DeepSeek is considering increasing its current fundraising target from about 50 billion yuan to as much as 100 billion yuan ($14.9 billion), according to reports.
The company is reportedly selecting investors, favoring government-backed and corporate funds over private funds that raise money from individuals.
CATL, Geely Auto, Monolith Management and Loyal Valley Capital have committed capital; Tencent was reported as a potential backer.
DeepSeek is reportedly seeking a valuation of about 500 billion yuan ($75 billion), up from an implied 350 billion yuan after its first external round.
The company is focused on AI development and has reportedly hired CITIC Securities to prepare for a possible Shanghai STAR Market IPO.
- Who
- Chinese AI startup DeepSeek, founded by Liang Wenfeng, and potential investors.
- What
- DeepSeek is considering expanding its funding round to as much as 100 billion yuan ($14.9 billion) and seeking a valuation of about 500 billion yuan ($75 billion).
- Where
- China; a possible IPO is being prepared for Shanghai's STAR Market.
- When
- The funding discussions are ongoing; DeepSeek began accepting external capital this year, and its first external round closed in June.
- Why
- Investor interest has reportedly exceeded the original fundraising target, while AI development costs and competition in China's AI sector are increasing.
Reported funding details
Different reports and ongoing discussions
Size of the funding round
Reported funding details
CNBC, citing people familiar with the matter, reported DeepSeek is considering raising as much as 100 billion yuan after initially targeting about 50 billion yuan.
Different reports and ongoing discussions
Bloomberg earlier reported DeepSeek was close to securing at least 80 billion yuan; the final amount remains subject to ongoing discussions and could change.
Investor participation
Reported funding details
The report says DeepSeek has committed capital from CATL, Geely Auto, Monolith Management and Loyal Valley Capital, and is limiting participation largely to government-backed and corporate funds.
Different reports and ongoing discussions
Tencent was identified by Bloomberg as a potential major backer, but the article does not list it among the investors reported to have committed capital.
Key facts
- Potential current-round size
- Up to 100 billion yuan ($14.9 billion), compared with an initial target of about 50 billion yuan.
- Reported target valuation
- About 500 billion yuan ($75 billion).
- Previous external round
- Raised about 50 billion yuan and closed in June; an investor filing implied a valuation of about 350 billion yuan.
- Reported committed investors
- CATL, Geely Auto, Monolith Management and Loyal Valley Capital.
- Other reported potential backer
- Tencent was named among potential major backers in an earlier Bloomberg report.
- Reported IPO preparation
- Reuters reported that DeepSeek hired CITIC Securities to prepare for a possible IPO on Shanghai's STAR Market.
- Founder’s stated priority
- Liang Wenfeng has said DeepSeek prioritizes technological progress toward artificial general intelligence over short-term profits.
Sources
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