MoneyMay 8, 2026via The Decoder
AI money keeps flowing as Deepseek plans record raise and Core Automation quadruples valuation in weeks
Why it matters
Capital is flooding into frontier AI at accelerating velocity. DeepSeek's record raise signals investor confidence in Chinese AI, while Core Automation's meteoric valuation climb—driven by ex-OpenAI talent—shows how scarce, proven AI leadership commands unprecedented multiples in weeks, not years.
Key signals
- DeepSeek planning $7.35B funding round—largest ever for Chinese AI company
- DeepSeek V4.1 launching June 2026
- Core Automation (founded by ex-OpenAI Jerry Tworek) reached $4B valuation in 6 weeks
- Core Automation quadrupled valuation in weeks
- Published May 8, 2026
The hook
$7.35B. That's what DeepSeek is raising—the largest funding round ever for a Chinese AI company. Meanwhile, a startup founded six weeks ago just quadrupled to a $4B valuation.
Deepseek is planning a funding round of up to $7.35 billion, the largest ever for a Chinese AI company. Deepseek V4.1 is set to launch in June. Meanwhile, Core Automation, founded by ex-OpenAI researcher Jerry Tworek just six weeks ago, is already targeting a $4 billion valuation.