Chinese Technology Shocks America, Its Creator Offered Rp 929 Trillion
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia –Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) startup DeepSeek is estimated to be valued at around 350.88 billion yuan, or around Rp929 trillion. This figure was revealed after an investment fund invested 2.9 billion yuan to acquire an indirect stake in the company.
Chinese luggage manufacturer Anhui Korrun disclosed in a stock exchange filing on Thursday (July 16) that its investment fund had acquired an indirect 0.8265% stake in DeepSeek. The transaction value implies a valuation of DeepSeek of approximately 350.88 billion yuan, as reported by Reuters on Friday (July 17, 2026).
As a private company, DeepSeek is not obligated to routinely disclose information.
DeepSeek also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
DeepSeek itself began to attract global attention early last year after its low-cost AI models, V3 and R1, challenged the perception that China was struggling to compete with leading US AI companies.
This development occurred amid Washington’s restrictions on advanced chip exports to China.
DeepSeek has previously rejected external funding and relied on its founder, Liang Wenfeng, a quantitative hedge fund, High-Flyer.
However, Reuters reported in May that DeepSeek was changing its strategy to fund increased computing capacity and improve employee benefits.
Reuters also reported in June that DeepSeek planned to raise approximately 50 billion yuan, or approximately US$7.4 billion, from several investors, including Tencent and CATL. The funding could potentially bring DeepSeek’s valuation to between 350 billion and 400 billion yuan after the investment.
In a stock exchange filing, Anhui Korrun stated that its subsidiary, Ningbo Purun, invested 40 million yuan in Tianjin Lisi Xingling Venture Capital Partnership. The fund is managed by Chinese investment firm Monolith Management.
The 2.9 billion yuan investment fund then acquired an indirect 0.8265% stake in DeepSeek. This gave Anhui Korrun an indirect ownership of 0.0114%.
Investors made payments by June 17th. Anhui Korrun then received information on July 15th that the investment had been completed.
In a separate transaction, Jiuan Medical disclosed that its Hong Kong subsidiary invested 750 million yuan through the investment vehicle Shixiang Capital. This investment gave it an indirect ownership of approximately 0.21% in DeepSeek.
However, the report did not specify whether the investment involved the issuance of new shares, the purchase of existing shares, or different rights.
Therefore, the 350.88 billion yuan figure represents the implied equity valuation of the transaction, not the definitive valuation of DeepSeek’s entire funding round.
Reuters reports that DeepSeek is planning a subsequent funding round worth up to 50 billion yuan. This round could bring the company’s valuation to around 500 billion yuan.
The plans come just weeks after DeepSeek closed its first external funding round.
DeepSeek has also begun preparing for a stock listing on the Shanghai STAR Market and is targeting an initial public offering (IPO) this year, according to sources familiar with the matter.
These plans underscore the rising costs of competing in the AI space, which requires significant spending on chips, data centers, and talent.
SOURCE : CNBC INDONESIA
