DeepSeek seeks $1B at $45B valuation in first VC round
chinese ai lab deepseek is raising its first vc round, aiming for a $45b valuation, soaring from initial estimates of $20b. the round, reportedly led by state-backed china integrated circuit industry investment fund with interest from alibaba and tencent, aims to secure capital for employee retention and chip independence. deepseek's models run on huawei hardware.
DeepSeek is in talks to raise approximately $1 billion at a $45 billion valuation, a significant jump from the $20 billion figure discussed just weeks prior. The round is led by the state-backed China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund and includes participation from tech giants Alibaba and Tencent. Founder Liang Wenfeng, who controls 90% of the company, is pursuing funding primarily to offer employee shares amid an intensifying war for talent and to further reduce reliance on US hardware by optimizing models for Huawei chips.