DeepSeek Valuation Debate and Funding Mystery | Generated by AI
I’ll search for DeepSeek’s recent valuation information.Based on recent reports, DeepSeek’s valuation varies significantly depending on the source:
Most commonly cited estimate: Around $3.4 billion as of early 2025, following a Series C funding round that raised $520 million.
However, there’s substantial debate about DeepSeek’s true value:
- Bloomberg estimated DeepSeek’s worth at $155 billion in February 2025, which would make it China’s third-most valuable startup
- Some analysts suggest valuations ranging from $1 billion to as high as $150 billion
- The wide range reflects uncertainty due to DeepSeek being privately held and not disclosing financial information publicly
Unique funding structure: DeepSeek is 100% self-funded by founder Liang Wenfeng using profits from his $8 billion hedge fund, High-Flyer, with no traditional VC money raised. This makes it unusual among major AI startups.
The valuation uncertainty stems from DeepSeek’s disruptive impact on the AI industry with its cost-efficient models, but the lack of public financial data makes precise valuation difficult to determine.