Total amount raised
$949 Millions
Latest funding date
03/01/2025
Location
Zhipu AI has successfully raised significant funding over multiple rounds, establishing itself as a key player in the AI industry. The company specializes in developing an AI-based large model platform that offers a variety of smart application products.
Keep reading to explore the intricacies of Zhipu AI's fundraising journey and the investors backing this innovative platform.
What Is Zhipu AI?
Zhipu AI, founded in 2019, is a data company based in Haidian, Beijing, China. The company specializes in artificial intelligence, data integration, machine learning, and software.
With an employee count ranging from 501 to 1000, Zhipu AI develops an AI-based large model platform that provides API services and a variety of smart application products. These include scientific and technological information analysis engines and AI cognitive engines designed to reduce manual labor in digital tasks.
How Much Funding Has Zhipu AI Raised?
- Private Equity Round
- Amount Raised: CN¥1B (approximately $154M)
- Date: March 2025
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To further expand AI capabilities and scale operations.
- Venture Round
- Amount Raised: CN¥3B (approximately $412M)
- Date: December 2024
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance AI development and expand product offerings.
- Series D
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: September 2024
- Lead Investors: Zhongguancun Science City Science
- Valuation at Round: CN¥20B (approximately $2.8B)
- Motivation Behind the Round: To fend off domestic competition and expand AI solutions.
- Venture Round
- Amount Raised: $400M
- Date: May 2024
- Lead Investors: Prosperity7 Ventures
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To develop the ChatGLM GenAI model family.
- Venture Round
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: March 2024
- Lead Investors: Qiming Venture Partners
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To support AI model development and scaling.
- Series B
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: September 2023
- Lead Investors: Alibaba Group, Tencent
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To expand AI capabilities and market reach.
- Series B
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: July 2023
- Lead Investors: Meituan
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To enhance AI product development.
- Series B
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: September 2022
- Lead Investors: Legend Capital, Qiming Venture Partners
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To scale AI solutions and expand market presence.
- Series A
- Amount Raised: Not publicly disclosed
- Date: January 2021
- Lead Investors: Not publicly disclosed
- Valuation at Round: Not publicly disclosed
- Motivation Behind the Round: To initiate AI model development and market entry.
Total Amount Raised: $966M
Current Valuation: CN¥20B (approximately $2.8B)
Key Investors
- Alibaba Group Holding
- Details: Alibaba Group Holding is a major Chinese multinational conglomerate specializing in e-commerce, retail, internet, and technology. It is one of the world's largest retailers and e-commerce companies.
- Investment Focus Areas: E-commerce, cloud computing, digital media, entertainment.
- Notable Investments: Ant Financial, Lazada, Didi Chuxing.
- Tencent Holdings
- Details: Tencent Holdings is a Chinese multinational conglomerate holding company with subsidiaries in various internet-related services and products, entertainment, AI, and technology. It is one of the world's largest technology companies.
- Investment Focus Areas: Social networking, gaming, fintech, cloud services, AI.
- Notable Investments: WeChat, Riot Games, JD.com.
- Qiming Ventures
- Details: Qiming Ventures is a venture capital firm that invests in early-stage and growth-stage companies in the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) and healthcare sectors. It has a strong presence in China and the United States.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, media, telecommunications, healthcare.
- Notable Investments: Xiaomi, Meituan-Dianping, Bilibili.
- Legend Capital
- Details: Legend Capital is a venture capital and private equity firm that focuses on innovation and growth enterprises in China. It is known for its investments in technology and healthcare sectors.
- Investment Focus Areas: Innovation, technology, healthcare.
- Notable Investments: Bytedance (TikTok), NIO (electric vehicles), iCarbonX (healthcare).
- Beijing Zhongguancun Science City Innovation Development
- Details: Beijing Zhongguancun Science City Innovation Development is a state-backed investment vehicle focused on fostering innovation and development in the Zhongguancun area, often referred to as China's Silicon Valley.
- Investment Focus Areas: Technology, science, innovation.
- Notable Investments: Various high-tech startups and innovation-driven enterprises in the Zhongguancun area.
What's Next for Zhipu AI?
As Zhipu AI continues to expand its AI capabilities, the company is poised to seize significant opportunities in the AI sector. With a recent funding round of $412 million, Zhipu AI aims to enhance its AI models and expand its Model as a Service platform. The company's versatile chatbot, ChatGLM, and other AI solutions are expected to drive substantial growth, positioning Zhipu AI as a leader in the industry.
Future fundraising opportunities appear promising, given the strong investor interest and the company's impressive revenue growth. Zhipu AI's strategic partnerships with major tech firms and state-backed institutions further bolster its potential for securing additional capital to scale operations and innovate.
However, Zhipu AI faces challenges such as intense competition, the need for continuous innovation, and regulatory hurdles. Navigating these obstacles will be crucial for maintaining its market position and achieving long-term success in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
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