DeepSeek raises nearly $7B in first funding round with Tencent, CATL backing

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, is on the verge of raising $7 billion in its inaugural funding round, with significant backing from prominent tech investors such as Tencent Holdings, CATL, NetEase, and JD.com. Approximately 30 billion yuan ($4.1 billion) has been pledged by market-focused investors and Chinese tech leaders, with Tencent likely to invest 10 billion yuan, while NetEase and JD.com are each expected to contribute around 3 billion yuan, and CATL about 5 billion yuan. Additionally, venture capital firms like IDG Capital, Monolith, Loyal Valley Capital, and Shixiang Tech are anticipated to participate. Founder and CEO Liang Wenfeng is reportedly investing nearly 20 billion yuan of his own funds. This substantial funding round underscores the escalating global competition and a strategic shift for the AI rising star, which had previously shunned outside investment.