Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has told potential investors that it does not plan to shift its strategy toward fast monetization. According to Bloomberg, founder Liang Wenfeng said during funding discussions that the company will keep prioritizing breakthrough research, open-source AI models and the long-term pursuit of artificial general intelligence.

The talks could value DeepSeek at about $45 billion. The company is seeking around 70 billion yuan, or roughly $10 billion, in what could become one of the largest first-time funding rounds for a Chinese technology startup. Potential investors reportedly include a state-backed AI industry fund, Tencent, IDG Capital and Monolith Capital, although the final investor lineup has not been confirmed.

DeepSeek’s stance sets it apart from many rivals that are moving quickly to turn AI models into paid products and enterprise tools. The Hangzhou-based company built its reputation in 2025 after releasing a low-cost AI model that was seen as a serious challenge to U.S. players, including OpenAI.

For investors, the message is both powerful and risky. DeepSeek could become one of China’s most important AI labs, but its reluctance to prioritize short-term commercialization means returns may depend less on immediate revenue and more on whether the company can deliver a long-term technological breakthrough.