Korean Investors Flock to Chinese AI Startup MiniMax
Korean Capital Fuels China's AI Boom
South Korean investors have developed a strong appetite for Chinese artificial intelligence stocks, and one company stands out from the pack - MiniMax. Recent data shows the AI startup topped South Korean net purchases in Hong Kong shares with investments totaling $20.67 million in early February 2026.
Record-Breaking Growth
The Shanghai-based firm has rewritten the rulebook for tech startups. Founded in early 2022, MiniMax completed its journey to becoming a publicly traded company on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in January 2026 - an unprecedented four-year sprint that sets a new global benchmark for AI companies.
"This kind of growth trajectory would have been unthinkable just a decade ago," says tech analyst Li Wei. "It shows how quickly China's AI ecosystem has matured."
Star-Studded Backing
The company's investor roster reads like a who's who of Asian tech investment. Early backers included prominent venture firms like Yunchi Capital and Hillhouse Capital, while later rounds attracted strategic investments from industry giants Tencent and Alibaba.
MiniMax isn't riding solo either. Other Chinese tech firms specializing in large language models and semiconductors also made South Korea's top ten investment list, signaling broader confidence in China's technological capabilities.
Domestic AI Comes of Age
The investment surge coincides with significant breakthroughs across China's AI sector. Recent releases like MiniMax2.5 and Zhipu GLM-5 demonstrate that Chinese-developed models now compete globally in both performance and commercial viability.
From research labs to trading floors, MiniMax's story encapsulates how quickly China has become a major player in artificial intelligence development and commercialization.
Key Points:
- Korean investors poured $20.67M into MiniMax shares in early 2026
- Fastest-ever IPO for an AI company at just four years from founding
- Major Chinese tech firms including Tencent and Alibaba invested heavily
- Part of broader trend seeing Chinese AI models reach global standards
