DeepSeek Secures $7 Billion Funding Round, Valued Up to $59 Billion

DeepSeek, a Chinese startup known for its AI lab, is set to raise around $7 billion in its first external funding round, which would value the company between $52 billion and $59 billion. Founder Liang Wenfeng is contributing 20 billion yuan of his own money, maintaining control over the company. Tencent and CATL are considering investments of about 10 billion yuan and 5 billion yuan, respectively, with Hong Kong’s IDG Capital and Monolith Capital also potential investors. The funding round is expected to conclude in the coming weeks. DeepSeek’s transition from a research project to a commercial entity is evident…