DeepSeek Raises $15 Billion to Challenge U.S. AI Labs
DeepSeek raised approximately 100 billion yuan to compete globally against leading American artificial intelligence laboratories including OpenAI and Anthropic PBC.
DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence pioneer based in Hangzhou, raised approximately 100 billion yuan ($15 billion) in its latest fundraising round. The investment marks one of the largest fundraising efforts in the history of China and signals the startup's intent to compete globally against leading U.S. AI laboratories such as OpenAI and Anthropic PBC.
During negotiations with investors, the company increased its financing target twice, moving from an initial 50 billion yuan to 80 billion yuan before settling on the final amount. Major investors contributing to the round included Tencent Holdings Ltd., the operator of WeChat, and the battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.
