DeepSeek Rejects VC Funding: Why the Chinese AI Giant Stays Independent
DeepSeek, China's rising AI powerhouse, refuses VC funding to maintain control.
Matilda
DeepSeek Rejects VC Funding: Why the Chinese AI Giant Stays Independent
DeepSeek’s founder Liang Wenfeng is in no hurry to get investment from outsiders, the WSJ reported Monday. Image:VCG/VCG / Getty Images DeepSeek is one of the hottest AI startups in the world right now after the Chinese AI company took Silicon Valley by storm with its latest model earlier this year. Unlike DeepSeek’s AI model provider counterparts, who regularly announce mega-rounds filled with prominent investors, Liang hasn’t announced any fundraises, despite lots of VC interest. Rumors about its supposed investors have even fueled (baseless) rallies in some Chinese stocks. DeepSeek’s founder doesn’t want to lose control An analysis of Chinese corporate records by TechCrunch shows that DeepSeek is 84% owned by Liang himself. The rest of the startup is owned by individuals affiliated with Liang’s hedge fund, High-Flyer. That means that unlike most startups, which require outside capital and are thus used to at least some external influence, DeepSeek is basically a one-man show. And Liang…
