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Home/Market & Regulation
Market & RegulationInvestment · $45B

DeepSeek Eyes $45B Valuation in First Funding Round

TechCrunch AI·May 6, 2026·high confidence

Why it matters

  • →DeepSeek's valuation surge highlights its competitive edge in AI development.
  • →The funding round supports China's strategic push for independent AI technology.
  • →DeepSeek's model efficiency could influence global AI cost structures.
DeepSeek Eyes $45B Valuation in First Funding Round
©TechCrunch AI

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI lab, is reportedly in talks to raise its first venture capital round, potentially reaching a valuation of $45 billion. The lab gained attention in 2025 with a cost-effective large language model that rivals U.S. counterparts. The funding round, led by China's state investment fund, aims to counteract talent poaching and support the development of AI technologies independent of U.S. chips. This strategic move aligns with China's broader goal to enhance its AI capabilities.

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