DeepSeek reportedly raises about $15 billion two days after US restrictions

DeepSeek reportedly raises $15B days after US restrictions

DeepSeek reportedly raised about $15 billion, two days after the US asked federal civilian agencies to remove its AI technology over security concerns. Bloomberg named CATL and Tencent as potential investors. The company raised more than $7 billion in June at a $50 billion valuation. It is also putting more into AI infrastructure and open models for domestic and overseas markets. DeepSeek did not respond to TechCrunch's request for comment.

Why it matters: The reported raise lands two days after US restrictions, and the money goes toward infrastructure and open models at home and abroad.