DeepSeek seeks major funding while making V4Pro API price cut permanent

Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek is advancing a major funding round while making a permanent, steep price cut to a key AI model, signaling a dual strategy of aggressive expansion and a focus on long-term research over immediate profits. The company is in discussions to raise external capital for the first time, a move that could value it at approximately $45 billion.

Founder Liang Wenfeng has told prospective investors the company will prioritize the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and the continued development of open-source models, rather than short-term commercialization. This philosophy marks a distinct approach as other leading global AI labs explore public listings and new revenue streams. The funding round, reportedly targeting 70 billion yuan, may set a record for a first-time financing by a Chinese tech startup.

Potential investors in the ongoing discussions include the state-backed National Artificial Intelligence Industry Investment Fund, Tencent Holdings, IDG Capital, and Monolith Capital. The involvement of the state fund underscores the strategic importance Beijing places on the domestic AI sector. The company, founded in 2023, has...