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DeepSeek valuation, fundraising and IPO preparations

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2026-08-28 09:01 UTC → 2026-09-14 18:13 UTC · added ~~removed~~

DeepSeek valuation, fundraising and ~~data-center plans~~ IPO preparations

In early August 2026, DeepSeek announced two linked moves. The company invested 140.8 million yuan (≈US$20.8 million) in Unitree Robotics’ Shanghai STAR-Market IPO, receiving 933,399 shares and a 2.31% stake, to combine AI expertise with mechanical engineering for humanoid robots. Simultaneously, DeepSeek revived its second-round financing, aiming to raise 500 billion yuan (≈US$8 billion) at a pre-money valuation of about 5 trillion yuan—roughly 43% higher than the prior round. This round follows a temporary pause caused by a leaked meeting-minutes document that displeased founder Liang Wenfeng. To manage rising compute costs, the firm also introduced a peak-off-peak billing model for its API services. By late August 2026, DeepSeek reported that revenues for the first seven months of the year reached approximately 475 million yuan (≈$70.7 million), a tenfold increase compared to 2025, though the company recorded a net loss of roughly 715 million yuan during that period. Despite these losses, the firm maintains high profitability in specific sectors, reporting an 82.9% gross margin for its API services and an overall gross margin of 44.6% for the first seven months. To support expansion, DeepSeek invested approximately 11 billion yuan in AI infrastructure during this same period. DeepSeek is currently in discussions for a new funding round to raise 50 billion yuan (≈$7.4 billion), targeting a valuation of 500 billion yuan (≈$74.4 billion). These efforts are reportedly linked to High-Flyer Quant, the quantitative investment firm that has supported the startup. ~~The~~ As part of its transition from a research laboratory to a conventional corporate structure, the company ~~is also working with investment banks~~ plans to appoint Yan Wentao, a partner at GL Ventures, as its first Chief Financial Officer. To prepare for a potential 2027 IPO, ~~potentially~~ likely on the Shanghai STAR ~~Market.~~ Market, DeepSeek has reportedly hired the brokerage CITIC Securities to assist with the process.

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