[DeepSeek's First Round of Financing Estimated at $7.4 Billion: Valuation Rises to $59 Billion, Completed Within Two Weeks, Tencent and CATL Investment Amounts Revealed] According to monitoring by Beating and reports from Reuters citing insiders, Chinese artificial intelligence startup DeepSeek has finalized its first round of financing at approximately 50 billion RMB (around $7.4 billion), adjusted from the rumored $10 billion in late May. Post-financing valuation is expected to range between 350 billion and 400 billion RMB (approximately $52 billion to $59 billion), with the upper limit further raised from the $55 billion rumored at the end of May. In terms of capital structure, the financing demonstrates a founder-dominated characteristic. DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng has committed to personally investing 20 billion RMB, accounting for 40% of the total financing amount, to ensure the entrepreneurial team retains absolute control over the company. Meanwhile, Tencent and CATL's investment amounts have been disclosed for the first time: Tencent is considering investing 10 billion RMB, and CATL intends to invest 5 billion RMB, making them the largest external investors in this round of financing. Previously, there were rumors that the National Artificial Intelligence Industry Investment Fund would lead the financing round, but with the founder's substantial personal investment confirmed, the national fund has stepped back to become a regular external participant. DeepSeek is also in final investment negotiations with NetEase and JD.com, with the total number of participating investors expected to be fewer than 10. This round of financing is anticipated to be completed within the next two weeks. In addition to the disclosed investors, Hong Kong-based IDG Capital and Monolith Capital have also emerged as potential participants. Currently, DeepSeek has not made any statements regarding future initial public offering (IPO) plans. [Original Link]