DeepSeek Rejects Outside Investment, Fears External Influence

DeepSeek, the AI company making waves globally, is deliberately steering clear of outside investment, with its founder, Liang Wenfeng, particularly wary of government-linked investors. According to reports, Liang has expressed concerns that external funding could interfere with the company’s independence, especially amid ongoing scrutiny from international regulators.  DeepSeek has already faced bans in multiple countries, including Italy, Australia, and Taiwan, and remains caught in the ongoing US-China AI chip trade tensions. To avoid any appearance of government influence, Liang prefers to keep DeepSeek self-funded, even as global concerns over AI security and regulation continue to grow. Unlike many startups that rely on external investors to scale their operations, DeepSeek remains financially stable. Liang owns 84% of the company, while the remaining shares are held by individuals linked to his hedge fund, High-Flyer.  Despite facing limitations due to restrictions on advanced AI chips, DeepSeek does not currently face financial struggles. Liang has previously stated that money is not the issue for the company but rather access to the high-performance chips needed to advance AI research and development. DeepSeek has already taken a unique approach by making its AI models open-source and free to use. This decision aligns with Liang’s criticism of the venture capital-driven startup model that prioritizes rapid monetization over long-term research. However, as AI technology evolves and competition intensifies, DeepSeek may eventually need to reconsider its stance on funding.  AI development requires substantial computational power, and without access to high-end chips, sustaining growth could become a challenge. While DeepSeek remains committed to its independent vision, the long-term sustainability of this approach remains uncertain in a rapidly evolving industry.