Beijing, February 19, 2025 – Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is considering its first-ever outside funding round, attracting interest from major investors including Alibaba and leading state funds, according to sources cited by The Information.
DeepSeek, which stunned the tech industry in January with its low-cost AI models capable of matching or even outperforming Western rivals, is now under pressure as a surge in demand has led to outages. The growing need for additional AI chips and servers to support rapid usage and further model development has prompted the small startup to explore external capital.
Sources with knowledge of internal discussions revealed that state-backed investors such as China Investment Corp and the National Social Security Fund have reached out to DeepSeek regarding potential investment. While Alibaba and DeepSeek have not immediately responded to requests for comment, these moves signal a broader interest in supporting cutting-edge AI technologies amid intensifying global competition.
Executives at DeepSeek, along with its hedge fund parent, High-Flyer Capital Management, are reportedly discussing a strategic pivot toward building a business model that generates sustainable revenue and, ultimately, profit from research. This development comes at a time when rival OpenAI is planning to restructure its for-profit arm into a public benefit corporation to ease restrictions imposed by its current non-profit parent, thereby increasing its investment appeal.
The timing of DeepSeek’s funding considerations coincides with recent efforts by China to bolster its technological capabilities. Chinese President Xi Jinping recently met with private sector leaders, including Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma and DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng, as part of a broader initiative to strengthen the nation’s economy and advance its innovation agenda.
As DeepSeek navigates this potential transition, industry observers will be watching closely to see how the influx of external capital might accelerate its development and help it compete on the global stage.
The model aims to enhance Alibaba’s presence in the generative AI sector and is available as open-source.
OpenAI on Tuesday introduced a suite of new developer tools designed to streamline the creation of advanced AI agents, signaling a strategic move amid intensifying competition from Chinese AI startups.
Alibaba Group’s shares climbed by more than 8% on Thursday following the release of its latest artificial intelligence reasoning model, QwQ-32B.
Alibaba is now offering free, open-source access to its latest generative AI models capable of producing highly realistic videos and images from text and image inputs. The move, which sees the company releasing four variants of its Wan 2.1 series, is expected to boost innovation among researchers, a
Alibaba announced on Tuesday that it will release an open-source version of its video and image-generating AI model, Wan 2.1, as part of its ongoing efforts to foster innovation and collaboration within the AI community.
Moments ago, Iran launched missiles at Qatar. Explosions have been heard in Doha and across the country.
Gulf states and Iraq remain on high alert amid fears of Iranian retaliation following recent U.S. airstrikes.
Oil prices dropped 1% on Monday after hitting five-month highs, as markets assessed the impact of U.S. strikes on Iran and potential risks to oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
An Azerbaijani delegation attended the opening ceremony of the 30th Shanghai Television Festival, one of Asia’s most prestigious media events, held in China’s Shanghai city on June 23.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Charles at Windsor Castle on Monday during a short visit to the UK aimed at strengthening defense ties and increasing pressure on Russia.
Moments ago, Iran launched missiles at Qatar. Explosions have been heard in Doha and across the country.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Pope Leo XIV spoke to political leaders in Rome on Saturday, urging them to remember that artificial intelligence is just a tool — not a replacement for humans.
The European Space Agency (ESA) has outlined an ambitious vision for human settlements in space by 2040, with autonomous “space oases” on the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
In what experts are calling the most extensive data breach in digital history, nearly 16 billion user records have been compromised globally, according to a new investigative report by Cybernews.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has alleged that Meta Platforms offered signing bonuses as high as $100 million to OpenAI employees in an attempt to recruit top talent, underscoring the intensifying competition among tech firms for artificial intelligence expertise.
Moments ago, Iran launched missiles at Qatar. Explosions have been heard in Doha and across the country.
Gulf states and Iraq remain on high alert amid fears of Iranian retaliation following recent U.S. airstrikes.
Oil prices dropped 1% on Monday after hitting five-month highs, as markets assessed the impact of U.S. strikes on Iran and potential risks to oil transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
An Azerbaijani delegation attended the opening ceremony of the 30th Shanghai Television Festival, one of Asia’s most prestigious media events, held in China’s Shanghai city on June 23.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Charles at Windsor Castle on Monday during a short visit to the UK aimed at strengthening defense ties and increasing pressure on Russia.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment