Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek is reportedly close to securing its first external funding round, potentially reaching a $50 billion valuation. State-linked investors are backing the company.

Chinese artificial intelligence high-flier DeepSeek is expected to close its first external financing round soon, boosting its valuation to up to US$50 billion, according to three people familiar with the matter, as the country’s marquee state-backed investment vehicle joins in bankrolling what is seen as a national technology champion. The round was being backed by a group of state-linked investors, including AI-focused affiliates under the third phase of the China Integrated Circuit Industry.....