Liang Wenfeng, the founder of DeepSeek, is now recognized as the wealthiest founder of an AI model company globally, as reported by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index…
1/8Liang Wenfeng becomes the world’s richest AI founder | The net worth of DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng has surged to an estimated $36 billion, climbing from approximately $16.7 billion, as shown by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This increase follows the latest funding round for DeepSeek, positioning Liang as the leading founder among companies focused on AI model development. DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng (right) (Photo: CCTV/ South China Morning Post)
2/8Liang surpasses Anthropic and OpenAI founders | In a Bloomberg analysis, Liang Wenfeng is ranked higher than Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei and OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman among AI model company founders. This ranking gives precedence to firms that primarily generate revenue from AI models, excluding diversified tech companies and firms specializing in AI infrastructure. (Image: Reuters)
3/8Who is Liang Wenfeng? | Liang Wenfeng was born in 1985 in Zhanjiang, Guangdong. Coming from a family of educators, he pursued electronic engineering at Zhejiang University and later obtained his master’s in information and communication engineering. He co-founded the hedge fund Zhejiang High-Flyer Asset Management with two classmates before establishing DeepSeek. (Image: Reuters)
4/8DeepSeek’s rise as a global AI player | Established in 2023 as a branch of High-Flyer’s AI division, DeepSeek captured global interest in early 2025 with an AI model that performed on par with top US competitors while being cost-effective. The startup has recently launched its new V4 model, emphasizing its compatibility with Huawei technology. (Image: Reuters)
5/8The funding round boosting Liang’s wealth | The substantial investor interest escalated DeepSeek’s valuation from approximately $10 billion in April to $50 billion after a $7.4 billion funding round in June 2026. Liang personally contributed $3 billion to this round, though his ownership share is now an estimated 78%, forming the bulk of his wealth. (Image: Canva)
6/8Liang’s exceptional ownership stake | According to Bloomberg, Liang’s estimated 78% ownership is distinctive compared to founders of major AI firms. Many US AI companies secure significant funding by relinquishing large equity portions to venture capitalists and tech firms. Liang’s substantial ownership allows him to maintain significant control over DeepSeek and enjoy greater personal wealth. (Image: Reuters)
7/8Shifting narratives in China’s AI landscape | Historically, China’s tech wealth has been dominated by founders of consumer internet firms. However, Bloomberg indicates that DeepSeek’s rise signifies a transition towards state-backed AI investments, transforming the startup from a private software endeavor into a strategically essential AI entity. (Image: Canva)
8/8How Bloomberg evaluated AI founder rankings | The Bloomberg Billionaires Index analyzed founders of companies whose main focus and revenue are derived directly from AI models. This evaluation excluded tech giants like Alibaba and Tencent, as well as AI supply chain enterprises like chip manufacturers and data centers. Liang’s estimated net worth of $36 billion also positions him as China’s eighth-richest individual, as per Bloomberg. (Image: Canva)
