DeepSeek, a leading Chinese AI lab, is reportedly considering a new fundraising round just a month after completing its first. This move aims to accelerate infrastructure expansion, including building its own data centers and acquiring more AI chips.

The company's initial funding round, which closed around late May, reportedly raised approximately $7 billion at a $52 billion valuation. DeepSeek has now begun preliminary discussions with investors for another round, potentially valuing the company at around $71 billion before the deal, signifying a significant increase in valuation.

This rapid fundraising pace is driven by the demand for increased computing power to support DeepSeek's development of AI agents capable of autonomous tasks. Founder Liang Wenfeng was a major investor in the previous round, contributing $3 billion of his own capital. Other notable investors include CATL, Tencent, JD.com, NetEase, and various venture capital firms, alongside a state-backed national AI fund.

The proceeds from the first round are being utilized to bolster infrastructure and recruit AI researchers, as DeepSeek aims to expand its teams and commercialize its advanced research in a highly competitive AI landscape.