DeepSeek Nears Completion of Blockbuster Funding Round, Eyeing $74B Valuation and 2027 IPO
Chinese AI titan, DeepSeek, is on the verge of finalizing a significant funding round. This round is set to value the Hangzhou-based startup at a staggering 500 billion yuan ($74 billion). This valuation not only solidifies its place among the world’s most valuable private AI companies but also paves the way for a potential public listing as early as 2027.
As reported by The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg, the funding round aims to secure approximately $7.4–$8 billion in new capital. The round sees participation from existing investors such as Monolith Management, Shixiang Capital, and Chinese battery behemoth CATL. New investors, including CPE, Legend Capital, and semiconductor-focused private equity firm Stony Creek Capital, are also in talks to join.
DeepSeek has initiated preliminary preparations for a listing on the STAR Market—China’s equivalent of the Nasdaq for high-growth tech firms. The company plans to file for an IPO later this year, with a public debut slated for 2027. Recent estimates suggest that DeepSeek’s annualized revenue has reached a commendable $400–$500 million, marking its first public revenue disclosure.
The company first made global headlines in early 2026 when its AI models matched the performance of leading Western systems at a fraction of the training cost. This achievement briefly wiped more than $500 billion off the value of AI-linked U.S. equities. Founder Liang Wenfeng, who initially funded the lab through his quantitative hedge fund High-Flyer, currently holds an estimated 78% stake valued at approximately $36 billion.
Source: Tech Startups – August 28, 2026