The Chinese AI lab DeepSeek has raised about $15bn, one of the largest funding rounds in China, TechCrunch reports, citing Bloomberg.
The reported round comes two days after the US ordered federal civilian agencies to remove DeepSeek's technology from their systems over security concerns. Potential investors are said to include the battery maker CATL and Tencent. DeepSeek raised more than $7bn at a $50bn valuation in June and was reported to be seeking more in July, with a possible stock market listing in China as early as next year.
The Hangzhou-based company is increasing spending on computing infrastructure and open models for both Chinese and overseas markets. TechCrunch notes that investors are pouring money into Chinese AI firms, with Moonshot AI, the developer of Kimi, raising $2bn in May. DeepSeek did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Source: TechCrunch
