In the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, a new contender has emerged that has captured both attention and admiration: Deepseek. This platform has made waves by reaching the extraordinary milestone of over 100 million users in just seven days, surpassing the records set by ChatGPT. Such sensational growth marks Deepseek as the fastest platform to achieve this achievement in human history. But alongside this extraordinary rise, a multitude of questions and reflections have taken root in several corners of the tech and investment community.

One of the most poignant reflections comes from the neighboring city of Nanjing, which has reconsidered its own technological ecosystem and why it has not produced a similar tech phenomenon. Even Guangzhou, a major metropolis in southern China, has found its citizens questioning their local tech landscape. This phenomenon illustrates the broader competitive dynamic that exists among Chinese cities. The rapid success of Deepseek has instigated a series of self-reflective inquiries among cities that have long prided themselves in technology innovation yet have been overshadowed by the explosive growth of Deepseek.

Meanwhile, the venture capital world is grappling with another intrigue: the question of why they missed the opportunity to invest in such a groundbreaking platform. Since the emergence of ChatGPT over two years ago, various venture capital firms have funneled money into numerous large-scale AI projects, yet they overlooked Deepseek, which is now positioned as one of the most significant players in AI narratives. Speculations arise, igniting debates among investors about missed opportunities. Was Deepseek hidden in plain sight, or is it genuinely ahead of its time? Reports suggest that Deepseek has undergone multiple financing rounds, yet clarity on the specifics remains elusive.

The rumors surrounding Deepseek's financing gained traction when reports suggested it secured seed funding back in June 2024 from High-Flyer Quan, followed by angel investment from Dongfang Jiafu Asset Management. A notable mention included the involvement of a regional AI fund, as well as the claim that Runhe Software invested a substantial 50 million yuan. However, my inquiries into the matter led to conflicting accounts. A conversation with a colleague revealed skepticism regarding any financing, asserting that Deepseek had not engaged in significant capital-raising operations.

Seeking further clarity, I turned to a prominent figure within the tech sphere, Kimi. Her insights echoed some of the rumors, indicating that Deepseek had indeed engaged with early investors like 360, with significant financial backing reportedly occurring in 2023 and an impressive round of investments following in 2024. This brings into question the reliability of our models and sources: if even insiders seem uncertain, how does one dissect the truth from the noise?

Queries to Deepseek themselves unraveled additional layers of ambiguity. Their AI offered a thoughtful breakdown of media commentary, but ultimately clarified that official confirmation was lacking. Moreover, it cited clarifications from multiple other companies involved. The conclusion was that while there might be elements of truth to the financing rumors, the exact details remain unverified and uncertain.

On February 7, rumors erupted online about Alibaba's interest in Deepseek, citing a phenomenal $10 billion valuation for a 10% stake. Public interest soared, only for Alibaba to swiftly deny any equity collaboration, which only added to the confusion and speculation surrounding Deepseek’s financial arrangements. A technological marvel without financial backing appeared almost impossible to comprehend. How can such a prominent company exist without significant investment support, especially amidst the record-breaking user influx?

Digging further into the company's structure reveals that Deepseek's corporate framework is led by the Hangzhou Deep Seek AI Fundamental Research Co., Ltd. with its ownership split primarily between founder Liang Wenfeng and a consulting partnership in Ningbo. This breakdown shows a lack of external investors, which strengthens the theory that Deepseek has not actually gone through the conventional funding process.

Both Liang and his partners hold stakes in the company, indicating that the resources funneled into Deepseek likely originated solely from the talents and fortune of its founding team, particularly Liang. With nearly 100 billion yuan under his management through various quantitative funds, he seems poised for self-sufficiency without the need for external financial intervention. Prior estimates suggest that Deepseek's initial venture only cost approximately $5 million, a figure well within Liang's capacity without the necessity of drawing in outside investors.

As Deepseek secures its place in the spotlight, any potential future funding would correlate with astronomical valuations. Various investment firms are eager to meet with Liang; however, his rarity in public appearances suggests a cautious approach toward future financing. Thus far, Liang's strategy appears grounded in a desire for independence and control over his developing AI platform, hesitant to relinquish authority to large capital players.

In conclusion, the enigmatic rise of Deepseek not only reflects its tremendous technological capabilities but also poses significant questions about the nature of success and investment in the tech sector. While the narrative of overwhelming user growth and the apparent absence of venture capital support might seem paradoxical, it underscores the unique landscape of innovation that can spring from individuals driven by vision and expertise. As we marvel at Deepseek's accomplishments, the unfolding story is set to captivate not just the tech community but anyone interested in the transformative power of technology and the intricacies of corporate finance in this new age of artificial intelligence.