China’s DeepSeek closes over $7 billion funding with unusual deal structure, the Information reports
China’s DeepSeek closes over $7 billion funding with unusual deal structure, the Information reports
Publish Date: 2026-06-16 02:05:00
Source Domain: www.reuters.com
- Chinese AI startup DeepSeek raised over 50 billion yuan ($7.40 billion) in its first funding round, achieving a valuation exceeding $50 billion.
- DeepSeek used a limited partnership structure to manage the funding that preserves founder control.
- Investors, including Tencent and CATL, are subject to a five-year lock-up and lack voting rights.
- An exception is China’s National Artificial Intelligence Industry Investment Fund, which invested directly and retains voting rights.
- Founder Liang Wenfeng committed 20 billion yuan through the round, while Tencent and CATL are considering investments totaling 15 billion yuan.
- DeepSeek became a renowned national AI champion in China, gaining global recognition for its V3 and R1 models.
