DeepSeek Propels Founder Toward Ranks of World’s Richest (1)

What began as a side hustle less than two years ago could turn DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng into one of the world’s richest people — or a mere billionaire.

It all depends on who you ask.

The company is worth anywhere from about $1 billion to more than $150 billion, according to seven startup founders and AI experts. The mid-range puts the firm between $2 billion and $30 billion, which would place Liang with his 84% stake among Asia’s wealthiest tech tycoons, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

“Even staying on the conservative side, the company could easily obtain ...