DeepSeek to Lead Seed Round for Robotics Startup Winverse AI

Hangzhou-based AI lab DeepSeek is leading a seed funding round for robotics startup Winverse AI, with the deal expected to be worth tens of millions of US dollars. Winverse AI was founded in 2026 by former Tencent scientist Hu Han and focuses on developing artificial intelligence for robots.

Upon completion, the investment is anticipated to value Winverse AI at approximately $400 million. Meituan's Long-Z Investments has also committed to the round, though final valuations and investor lists are subject to change.

This funding aligns with DeepSeek's focus on embodied AI, which involves applying AI models to physical systems like robots. The investment comes as China's embodied AI sector has attracted record funding, indicating growing investor interest in robotics-focused AI startups.