An institutional source responded to DeepSeek's first external funding round: The news is very likely true, but we are currently unable to invest at all.

CoinFeed reported on April 18th that, according to Jinshi, news continues to circulate within the industry that DeepSeek, a leading AI company in China, may be launching its first external financing round. A recent report from a technology and business-focused media outlet states that DeepSeek is in talks to introduce external capital for the first time, hoping to bolster its cash reserves and gain a more advantageous position in the high-cost competition of developing top-tier AI models. Previously, the company had repeatedly rejected investment offers from leading Chinese venture capital firms and tech giants. However, according to two sources, the startup has recently begun contacting investors, planning to raise at least $300 million at a valuation of at least $10 billion. In response, an executive from a large state-owned equity institution stated, "We have received feedback that the news of DeepSeek launching its first external financing round is very likely true; currently, we are completely unable to invest in it," adding, "More information cannot be disclosed at this time."