DeepSeek reaches $60 billion valuation using non-traditional work model

DeepSeek has emerged as a major success in the artificial intelligence sector, reaching a valuation of approximately $60 billion following recent funding rounds. Since its launch in January 2025, the company's application has surpassed 173 million downloads.

CEO Liang Wenfeng attributes this rapid growth to a management philosophy that rejects the intensive ‘996’ work culture—working from 9:00 to 21:00, six days a week—which has become prevalent in both China and Silicon Valley. Wenfeng argues that intense pressure is counterproductive to research.

Under this model, researchers do not work overtime, have no monthly targets, and operate without traditional supervision or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The company structure allows employees to receive formal tasks for only half of their workday, leaving the remaining time for autonomous use to pursue their own research interests.