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Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is reportedly preparing to raise approximately 50 billion yuan ($7.4 billion) in its first external funding round, a move that could value the company at between 350 billion yuan and 400 billion yuan ($52 billion to $59 billion). According to sources familiar with the matter, the fundraising is expected to be completed within the coming weeks, although final terms may still change.
DeepSeek emerged as one of China’s most influential artificial intelligence companies after its V3 and R1 AI models gained international recognition in early 2025. The company attracted significant attention from both Chinese and global technology sectors by challenging long-standing assumptions about China's ability to compete in advanced AI development.
Founder Liang Wenfeng is expected to contribute 20 billion yuan of personal capital to the funding round. Among external investors, Tencent Holdings is reportedly considering an investment of 10 billion yuan, while battery manufacturing giant CATL may invest around 5 billion yuan. If finalized, these commitments would make Tencent and CATL the largest outside investors in DeepSeek.
Sources also indicate that DeepSeek is holding advanced discussions with China’s national artificial intelligence fund, gaming company NetEase, and e-commerce leader JD.com. The investor group is expected to remain relatively small, with fewer than ten participants involved.
The planned investment highlights China’s broader strategy to strengthen its domestic AI ecosystem, spanning AI model development, semiconductor technologies, data centers, and power infrastructure. CATL has recently expanded its focus beyond electric vehicle batteries by exploring AI data center power solutions and energy storage systems. Meanwhile, Tencent may benefit from closer collaboration with DeepSeek as competition intensifies among Chinese AI developers, including Alibaba’s Qwen and ByteDance’s Doubao models.
Additional investors reportedly under consideration include Hong Kong-based IDG Capital and Monolith Capital. DeepSeek has not publicly disclosed any plans regarding a future initial public offering (IPO), and several parties involved have either declined to comment or have not responded to media inquiries.
The funding round could further solidify DeepSeek’s position as a leading force in China’s rapidly growing artificial intelligence industry throughout 2026.
