DeepSeek Closes First External Round, Raising 51B Yuan at ~400B Yuan Valuation
English summary
DeepSeek, the Hangzhou-based AI startup behind the open-source DeepSeek models, completed its first external funding round on June 16, 2026. The round raised approximately 51 billion yuan ($7 billion) at a valuation of nearly 400 billion yuan ($55 billion). Investors include founder Liang Wenfeng, Tencent, CATL, NetEase, JD.com, Monolith Management, IDG Capital, Zhenge Valley Investment, Shixiang Technology, and the National AI Industry Investment Fund. Liang Wenfeng structured the deal so that most external investors contribute through limited partnerships he manages, with a five-year lock-up and no voting rights; only the National AI Industry Fund receives direct equity and voting rights. Previously funded solely by High-Flyer Quant, DeepSeek plans to use the proceeds for AI infrastructure expansion, R&D, employee equity incentives, and accelerating commercialization.
Chinese summary
深度求索（DeepSeek）于2026年6月16日完成首轮外部融资，融资金额约510亿元，估值接近4000亿元。投资方包括创始人梁文锋、腾讯、宁德时代、网易、京东、Monolith砺思资本、IDG资本、正心谷投资、拾象科技以及国家人工智能产业投资基金。梁文锋要求多数外部投资者通过其管理的有限合伙企业注资，并设定五年锁定期且无投票权，仅国家人工智能产业投资基金直接持股并享有投票权。DeepSeek此前由幻方量化全资支持，此次融资将用于扩展AI基础设施、加强研发、员工股权激励及加快商业化进程。
Key points
Raised 51 billion yuan ($7B) in first external round, valuing the company at nearly 400 billion yuan ($55B).
首轮外部融资510亿元，投后估值接近4000亿元。
Investors: founder Liang Wenfeng, Tencent, CATL, NetEase, JD.com, Monolith, IDG Capital, Zhenge Valley, Shixiang Technology, and National AI Industry Fund.
投资方：创始人梁文锋、腾讯、宁德时代、网易、京东、Monolith、IDG资本、正心谷、拾象科技与国家AI产业基金。
Most external investors put money via Liang Wenfeng-managed LPs with 5-year lock-up and no voting rights; National AI Fund holds direct shares with voting rights.
多数外部投资者通过梁文锋管理的有限合伙注资，锁定期5年无投票权；国家AI基金直接持股享投票权。
Use of funds: AI infrastructure, R&D, employee equity, and commercialization.
资金用途：AI基础设施、研发、员工股权激励和商业化。