Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) unicorn Zhipu AI has invested in AI infrastructure firm SliconFlow, according to a company release on July 4.
AI infrastructure refers to the software and hardware required to deploy and train the AI-powered applications and solutions — ranging from graphics processing units (GPU) to computing infrastructure platforms.
Chinese cybersecurity firm 360 Security Technology and local investment firm Tsinghua Capital participated in the angel+ round. Existing backer Glory Ventures also re-upped in the round.
The proceeds will help the Beijing-registered firm to accelerate its product innovation, per the release.
Founded by Yuan Jinhui, former founder and CEO of open-source deep learning framework OneFlow in August 2023, SiliconFlow specialises in AI-specific software development, which enables developers to deploy their AI applications with greater flexibility and lower costs.
The firm closed its 50 million yuan ($6.9 million) angel funding round in January this year led by local venture capital firm Sinovation Ventures. Participating investors of the round include Glory Ventures and MiraclePlus, among others.
Chinese generative AI sector had a record 2023 when investors flocked to bet big on the country’s major generative AI projects including the likes of 01.AI, MiniMax, Zhipu AI, and Baichuan Intelligent Technology.
Despite an aggregate of $1.4 billion of venture funding recorded in the Chinese AI sector in Q1, nearly $1 billion or 71.4% of the total funding went into Moonshot AI, according to a report released by data provider CB Insights.
CHINA DEAL MONITOR
DealStreetAsia has also compiled a table listing all prominent venture capital transactions in Greater China from July 1 –7, 2024.
| Startup | Headquarters | Investment size (Million USD) | Investment stage | Lead investor(s) | Other investor(s) | Industry/Sector | Vertical |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| URTOPIA | Shenzhen | 10 | A | Guangyuan Hesheng Fund, Easy Click Worldwide Network Technology, Tongxiang City Jintong Fund | Kongho Fund, Brizan Ventures, DCM Ventures, Gao Bingqiang (Individual Investor) | Consumer Products | Micro-Mobility |
| MoonBiotech | Guangzhou | 41.3 | C+ | SDIC JULI (affiliated with State Development and Investment Group) | Biotech | Biotech | |
| MingCeler | Guangzhou | Pre-A | Guangzhou Finance Holdings Group | Biotech | Biotech | ||
| Senboelec | Suzhou | 1.5* | Pre-A | Hygoal Capital | Automobiles & Parts | Electric/Hybrid Vehicles | |
| Glbizzia | Beijing | 1.5* | Pre-A | Puhua Capital | Biotech | Biotech | |
| Jiuzong | Ningbo | 8.3 | B++ | Puhua Capital | Semiconductor | N/A | |
| Evolution Therapy | Beijing | 1.5* | Angel | Galileo Venture | Biotech | Biotech | |
| Garen Semiconductor | Hangzhou | 1.5* | Pre-A | Puhua Capital | Semiconductor | N/A | |
| New Green Power | Taipei | Renewable Energy | CleanTech | ||||
| Yulun Composites | Shanghai | 1.5* | Pre-B | Guiyang Venture Capital (Wholly-owned by Guiyang Industrial Investment) | Materials | N/A | |
| Wecare Probiotics | Suzhou | Suzhou International Development Venture Capital (SIDVC), China Merchants Capital, SDIC Unity Capital | Biotech | Biotech | |||
| Novomore | Changsha | Angel | Sunz Fund | Hongfeng Jihua (红枫计划), Ningle Group | Biotech | Biotech | |
| Qingguan Technology | Beijing | 1.5* | Angel | Everchanting Fund | Materials | N/A | |
| Laser Starcom | Beijing | 1.5* | Rongdao Investments (Affiliated with Yonyou Network Technology) | Semiconductor | N/A | ||
| Eplus3D Tech | Hangzhou | 14* | Bingzhuang Fund, SDIC Unity Capital, Findowin Capital | Industrial Machinery | 3D Printing | ||
| Maxvax Biotechnology | Chengdu | 41.3 | C+ | IDG Capital | Hangkang Capital, Qianhai Ark Asset Management | Pharmaceutical | Biotech |
| Advanced Silicon Technology | Shanghai | C | Chengxin Fund (affiliated with Chongqing Liangjiang Equity Investment Management), Shanghai Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund II, Chongqing Industrial Investment Fund of Funds, Guoxin Investment, and others | Semiconductor | N/A | ||
| Calterah Semiconductor Technology | Shanghai | 14* | D | Guoxin Venture Capital, Fujian Venture Investment Management, CMG-SDIC Capital, Walden International | Semiconductor | Electric/Hybrid Vehicles | |
| ASOcura Pharmaceuticals | Suzhou | 14 | A | SDIC Venture Capital | Herui Venture Capital | Pharmaceutical | Biotech |
| Appsoft Technology | Beijing | CMG-SDIC Capital | Zhongguancun Gazella Fund Management | Semiconductor | N/A | ||
| Neusoft | Shenyang | Strategic Investment | China General Technology Group (Genertec), China SOE Mixed-ownership Reform Fund | Medical Devices & Equipment | N/A | ||
| EHO Intelligence | Hefei | Angel | Hefei Innovation Scitech Venture Capital | Logistics & Distribution | N/A | ||
| LKtime Biotech | Zhongshan | 26.1 | B | Zhongshan Investment Holdings | Cuiheng Venture Investment, Xiwan Capital | Healthcare Services | Biotech |
| Decent Power | Nanjing | A | CDH Investments, HongShan (previously Sequoia Capital China) | Industrial Machinery | N/A | ||
| H-Great | Shenzhen | 5.5 | A | Automobiles & Parts | Electric/Hybrid Vehicles | ||
| China Resources Financial Leasing | Shenzhen | 68.7 | Strategic Investment | Guangju Investment Holding | Financial Services | Fintech Lending | |
| Dadao Zhichuang Technology | Shenzhen | 0.7 | Initial | Zhongguancun Science-Tech Leasing | Business Support Services | Robotics & Drones | |
| Shangshang Technology | Shenzhen | Strategic Investment | Business Support Services | AI and Machine Learning | |||
| CreativeFitting | Shanghai | 1* | Pre-A+ | Baidu | Media | AI and Machine Learning | |
| Ti5 Robot | Shanghai | 1.5* | Pre-A | Plum Ventures, MPC (previously known as Matrix Partners China), FOF Capital | Business Support Services | Robotics & Drones | |
| EtlChip/ Yitai Microelectronics Technology | Nanjing | Pre-A++ | Hatchip Investment, Delian Capital, Jucheng Capital, Yiqi Lihe (Affiliated with Leaguer Capital and FAW Group), Qianhai Pengchen Investment Management, and others | Automobiles & Parts | Electric/Hybrid Vehicles | ||
| ULS Robotics | Shnghai | 1.5* | A+ | Dunhong Capital | Industrial Machinery | Robotics & Drones | |
| SiliconFlow | Beijing | 14 | Angel+ | Zhipu AI, 360 Security Technology, Tsinghua Capital, Glory Ventures | Business Support Services | AI and Machine Learning | |
| Clonorgan | Chengdu | 1.5 | A+ | Dingzhou Yichuang | Biotech | Biotech | |
| Lolai Technology/ Zxfans Technology | Shenzhen | 1.5* | A | Consumer Products | N/A | ||
| iSaber Materials/ Qinghe Jingyuan Semiconductor Technology | Beijing | 41.2 | Shenzhen Capital Group, Yuanzhi Xinghuo, Wuxi Chipown Micro-Electronics, Zhengwei Capital, and others | Semiconductor | N/A | ||
| Volant | Shanghai | 14 | A+++ | Legend Capital (affiliated with Legend Holdings) | Aerospace | N/A | |
| Chunhuo | Huzhou | A+ | Addor Capital | Energy Storage & Batteries | N/A | ||
| Singlera | Yangzhou | 14 | Strategic Investment | Yangzhou Guojing Group, Yangzhou Dingyi (Managed by Jiangsu D&T Capital), Longchuan Holdings (Wholly Owned by Yangzhou Jianghuai Construction Development), and others | Healthcare Services | Biotech | |
| YanRong Tech | Beijing | 27.5 | B, B+ | B: Harvest Capital, B+: Beijing State-owned Capital Operation and Management Company | Glory Ventures, G&O Capital, Sunyard Technology | Software | Cloud Computing |
| Robint Technology | Beijing | B+ | Business Support Services | Robotics & Drones | |||
| LiangDao Intelligence | Beijing | China Merchants Capital, E-town Capital | Automobiles & Parts | Autonomous Driving | |||
| Zhongchuang Media | Beijing | 2.7 | Pre-A | Beijing Guoyun Chuangyan Information Technology Development Center, Zhongda Fanghong Asset Management | Media | E-Commerce |
