Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is gearing up for an initial public offering and has started early talks with new investors for another funding round, this time targeting a pre-money valuation of about $71 billion. That's a jump from the roughly $50 billion valuation in its first external round, which closed nearly a month ago with backing from Tencent and CATL. Founder Liang Wenfeng also put in about $3 billion of his own money.
IPO timeline still fluid
DeepSeek could file its IPO paperwork late this year or in early 2027, aiming for a debut next year. The company is working with accounting and banking advisers and wants to finish its financial report by the end of December. But plans remain fluid — IPO timing and funding could shift depending on market conditions and the company's performance.
Building its own infrastructure
DeepSeek plans to build its own data center, buy more AI chips, and develop its own AI chip to reduce reliance on Nvidia and Huawei. The move signals a push for independence in a sector where supply chain constraints have become a major headache for Chinese AI firms.
Rivals also eye public markets
DeepSeek isn't alone in considering a stock market listing. US rivals Anthropic and OpenAI both filed confidential IPO prospectuses in June. Anthropic said any offering would depend on market conditions, while OpenAI's CFO suggested waiting until 2027 due to heavy cash burn and commitments. DeepSeek's timeline puts it in a similar window, though the company has not commented on its rivals' plans.
The next big question: whether DeepSeek can lock in that $71 billion valuation before market sentiment shifts. With its first external round barely a month old, the startup is moving fast — but in AI, fast doesn't always mean smooth.
