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DeepSeek reportedly seeks first funding round at $45 billion valuation
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI company, is reportedly seeking its first funding round at a valuation of $45 billion led by the state-backed Big Fund, with involvement from Tencent. This marks a significant increase from its previous valuation of $20 billion and is notable as it would be Big Fund's first investment in a Chinese large language model company.
Key points
- DeepSeek is seeking its first funding round.
- Valuation is expected to be around $45 billion.
- The Big Fund, a state-backed investment vehicle, is in talks to lead the funding.
- Tencent is also involved, but the final investor lineup is not confirmed.
- Valuation has surged from $20 billion to $45 billion in a short period.
- This would be Big Fund's first investment in a Chinese large language model company.
Why it matters
- The news ties into the global trend of increased investment in AI and semiconductor industries.
- China's government initiatives to support local tech innovations resonate with broader economic strategies seen in other nations, aiming to dominate AI technologies by 2025.
DeepSeek's rapidly increasing valuation illustrates the intense interest in AI companies and reflects China's ambition to lead in the AI sector, particularly through strategic investments from state-backed funds.