@baoshu88: How humble Tencent was to invest in DeepSeek, wanting to subscribe to 20% shares but directly rejected by Liang Wenfeng, at most only 2%, and the valuation was as high as $50 billion. Tencent originally planned to have DeepSeek bound to Tencent's ecosystem using Tencent Cloud, but instead DeepSeek asked Tencent to bind to DeepSeek's ecosystem, promoting DeepSeek...
Summary
Tencent tried to subscribe to 20% of DeepSeek at a $50 billion valuation but was rejected, ultimately securing only 2% shares, with DeepSeek demanding Tencent bind to its ecosystem, reflecting DeepSeek's strong position in AI investment.
Similar Articles
@youyou8178: The conference room at Tencent HQ, it's said the lights were on until 2 a.m. When Liang Wenfeng arrived, the agreement was already laid out on the table. Tencent wanted 20%, with open terms—cloud resources, traffic entry points, ecosystem binding, everything on offer. Liang took one look and pushed it back, saying eight words: "At most 2%. Same valuation." It's said a certain investment bank MD stood up to smooth things over, but was stopped by James with a raised hand. Martin sat across the table, silent for a long time, before asking if they could add a little more. Liang replied: "I still have a set of parameters to run tonight. Your time isn't worth much, but mine is worth fifty billion." Then he got up and left. The news came out at 3 a.m. Alibaba apparently had already withdrawn earlier. Everyone in the WeChat group was waiting for Pony's reaction. He said only one thing: "Invest. Even 2% is fine. Bind their ecosystem." Everyone who heard those words froze for a few seconds in front of their screens. The empire once said surrender is useless. But this time, what the other side held wasn't bargaining chips—it was a ticket to the next decade. Would you say Tencent was humble? No. It was one era making room for another. On your company's negotiation table today, who is the one who gets up?
It is rumored that Tencent negotiated an investment with Liang Wenfeng (DeepSeek). Tencent initially demanded a 20% stake but was rejected, ultimately accepting 2%, sparking industry discussion about shifts in the AI competitive landscape.
DeepSeek Rejects Alibaba: Prioritizing Corporate Independence Over Big Tech Ecosystems
DeepSeek has rejected investment from Alibaba to maintain corporate independence and avoid restrictive ecosystem integration clauses, despite significant interest from Chinese tech giants. The company seeks funding primarily for computational power and talent retention while minimizing external control over its commercialization agenda.
Tencent, Alibaba in Talks to Invest in DeepSeek at $20 Billion-Plus Valuation
Tencent and Alibaba are reportedly in talks to invest in Chinese AI startup DeepSeek at a valuation exceeding $20 billion.
China to Invest in DeepSeek at $50 Billion Valuation (4 minute read)
DeepSeek is in talks to raise billions in funding from China's National Artificial Intelligence Industry Investment Fund, valuing the startup at approximately $50 billion.
DeepSeek is pushing forward with $10.29 billion financing round, with Liang Wenfeng committing to continue developing open-source AI models rather than pursuing short-term commercialization goals
DeepSeek is raising a $10.29 billion financing round, with founder Liang Wenfeng reaffirming a commitment to open-source AI development and long-term AGI goals over short-term commercialization.