DeepSeek tells prospective investors of funding pause, Bloomberg News reports
The startup paused talks after viral comments from founder Liang Wenfeng fueled investor uncertainty over China’s AI race and dependence on Nvidia chips.
- On Saturday, July 25, 2026, DeepSeek suspended its second fundraising round, verbally informing prospective investors it would not sign investment agreements in the coming days.
- Viral online reports regarding comments attributed to founder Liang Wenfeng about US-China AI competition and reliance on Nvidia Corp. chips reportedly caused frustration, triggering the pause.
- DeepSeek closed a record $7 billion first financing round in June and had targeted a pre-money valuation of at least 480 billion yuan for the follow-on deal.
- Negotiations remain fluid, and the company may resume the process later, though it remains unclear whether all prospective investors received formal notification regarding the pause.
- The company has begun preparations for an initial public offering on Shanghai's Nasdaq-style STAR Market, which may occur as soon as this year despite the funding pause.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepSeek is reported to have temporarily suspended its second fundraising process, which was being pursued following its first external investment round worth approximately 11 trillion won. Bloomberg reported on the 25th (local time), citing multiple anonymous sources, that DeepSeek informed some investors planning to participate in the second round of funding that it would suspend contract procedures…
DeepSeek informed potential investors of its second round of fundraising that, for the time being, it is suspending the operation, according to people familiar with the subject. The decision takes place a few days after comments widely attributed to the company's founder, Liang Wenfeng, about the competition between the United States and China in the area of artificial intelligence have become viral. Chinese pioneer in AI verbally communicated t…
DeepSeek Said to Tell Backers of Funding Pause After Viral Posts
DeepSeek has told prospective investors in its second fundraising round that it’s suspending the deal for now, people familiar with the matter said, days after comments widely attributed to founder Liang Wenfeng about US-Chinese AI competition went viral.
DeepSeek tells prospective investors of funding pause, Bloomberg News reports
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has told prospective investors in its second fundraising round that it is suspending the deal for now, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter.
DeepSeek halts fundraising after becoming AI's most sought-after startup
DeepSeek has frozen its second fundraising round after telling some investors that the signing process will not happen for now. The company had been preparing to collect fresh capital weeks after closing its first deal. The freeze followed private remarks made by Liang Wenfeng, founder of the lab, which had gone viral on social media. It is said that Liang was displeased with the leakage of information from an investment meeting conducted some t…
AI Startup Funding Why Did DeepSeek Pause Talks?
Hangzhou, China, July 25 Brussels Morning Newspaper — AI startup funding is under renewed attention after Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek reportedly paused discussions with prospective investors during its latest fundraising round. According to Bloomberg News, the company informed potential …
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
