DeepSeek Reportedly Launches First External Fundraising Round, Targets $10B+ Valuation and $300M+

Gate News message, April 18 — DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, is reportedly in talks to raise its first external capital, according to multiple media reports and sources. The company is seeking to secure funding to strengthen its position in the costly race to develop cutting-edge AI models. The fundraising target is set at a valuation of at least $10 billion, with the company aiming to raise no less than $300 million.

DeepSeek has previously declined investment offers from leading Chinese venture capital firms and tech giants. According to a person from a major state-owned equity institution, "There are channel feedbacks suggesting that DeepSeek's first external fundraising is very likely to be true, but currently it's completely impossible to invest." The company had rejected multiple investment approaches before initiating these current discussions with investors.

On April 18, attempts were made to reach two executives from Huifang Quantitative (DeepSeek's backing entity) via phone calls and WeChat messages for comment on the fundraising news. However, as of publication, both calls went unanswered and WeChat messages received no response.