Chinese AI firm DeepSeek raised approximately $15 billion (100 billion yuan) in a funding round led by Tencent Holdings and CATL. The financing target was increased twice during negotiations, doubling from an initial 50 billion yuan to reach the final amount. Following the round, DeepSeek received regulatory approval to deploy its AI models internationally. State media reported that much of this AI technology will remain available for export despite proposed export control measures.
An account affiliated with Chinese state television reported that the companies had completed registration, open publication and licensing procedures for overseas use, while the commerce ministry said most AI technologies would remain freely exportable.
Read the full storyThe round comes as the Chinese company increases spending on data centres and open-source models and seeks to attract and retain talent, while preparing for a potential Shanghai listing.