Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek has raised $7.4 billion in a funding round, according to reports from multiple news outlets on June 16, 2026. The investment values the company at approximately $50 billion, making it one of the most valuable AI startups globally.
The funding round was led by existing investors, including Sequoia China and Alibaba Group, with participation from other venture capital firms. DeepSeek plans to use the capital to expand its AI research and development, particularly in large language models and generative AI technologies.
DeepSeek, founded in 2023, has gained attention for its open-source AI models that compete with offerings from OpenAI and Google. The company's rapid growth reflects China's push to become a leader in artificial intelligence, despite US export controls on advanced chips.
The valuation of $50 billion marks a significant increase from DeepSeek's previous valuation of $30 billion in early 2025, according to sources familiar with the matter. The company has not publicly commented on the funding details.
