DeepSeek reportedly in talks for up to $12B+ funding round, mulls robotics push

Multiple social media posts report that Chinese AI company DeepSeek is preparing a major new funding round, with amounts ranging from RMB 80 billion to RMB 100 billion (about $12 billion to $15 billion). A post by OpenBuildxyz, summarizing last week's China AI news, says DeepSeek is reportedly set to raise more than RMB 80 billion (~$12B), potentially reaching RMB 100 billion, with Tencent and CATL among expected backers and a target valuation of around RMB 500 billion (~$74B) ahead of a possible domestic IPO. Another post, from BreakingAlert_, states in Chinese that DeepSeek will complete 100 billion yuan in financing and is also considering entering embodied intelligence, with founder Liang Wenfeng reportedly in intensive talks with related entrepreneurs. These are separate reports; the exact terms and participants are not independently confirmed. In a separate development, a post by shihaodduan reports that DeepSeek is leading a seed round for robotics AI startup Winverse AI, investing several tens of millions of dollars at a post-money valuation of about $400 million, with founder Hu Han, a former Tencent AI scientist, and Meituan Longzhu also participating. A post by Zekunnnnn, quoting a Business article, similarly reports that DeepSeek aims to lead the first round for a months-old startup building AI for robots, using capital from its own $12 billion-plus financing. The posts describe DeepSeek's move as part of a broader trend of AI model companies investing in robotics, though the company has not made an official announcement.