DeepSeek starts new funding round, valuation hits $71 billion

DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has started early talks with investors for a new funding round, aiming for a pre-investment valuation of $71 billion. The company just completed its first external funding in May, raising about $7 billion, with $3 billion from founder Liang Wenfeng, reaching a post-investment valuation of $52 billion.

Sources say DeepSeek is seeking fresh funds quickly to support large-scale data center construction and AI chip purchases. DeepSeek has not yet responded to the reports.