DeepSeek Reportedly Now Most Valuable Chinese AI Startup Company
Chinese technology company DeepSeek secured more than $7.4 billion in its first funding round, pushing its valuation to over $50 billion, The Information reported on Tuesday. Under the new deal, investors must put their…
Chinese Technology company DeepSeek secured more than $7.4 billion in its first funding round, pushing its valuation to over $50 billion, The Information reported on Tuesday.
Under the new deal, investors must put their capital into a limited partnership spearheaded by DeepSeek founder and CEO Liang Wenfeng rather than investing directly in the company, according to The Information. DeepSeek is now ranked as the most valuable artificial intelligence startup company in China, The Wall Street Journal reported.
This new arrangement aims to ensure Liang can maintain total control over DeepSeek, The Information reported.
The arrangement also imposes a five-year lock-up period on all investors’ shares during which they cannot sell their stakes, per The Information’s report. China’s National Artificial Intelligence Industry Investment Fund, which is investing 1 billion yuan directly into DeepSeek, is the sole investor that is exempt from not being able to sell its stakes during that time period, according to the outlet.