South Korean Investors Bet Big on China's AI Darling MiniMax
South Korean Investors Place Their Chips on China's AI Sector
Hong Kong's stock market witnessed an unusual trend this February - South Korean investors couldn't get enough of Chinese artificial intelligence stocks. Leading the pack was MiniMax, a Shanghai-based AI company that attracted $20.67 million in net purchases from Korean investors by February 10, 2026.
The New AI Unicorn on the Block
MiniMax isn't just another tech startup. The company achieved what many considered impossible - going public just four years after its 2022 founding. This blistering pace sets a new global record for AI companies transitioning from concept to publicly traded entity.
"The speed of MiniMax's growth reflects both the company's execution and China's rapidly maturing AI ecosystem," observes tech analyst Li Wei. "Investors are clearly betting that Chinese firms can compete at the highest levels of artificial intelligence development."
Why MiniMax? Why Now?
The company's appeal goes beyond its rapid ascent. Backed by heavyweights like Tencent and Alibaba, MiniMax represents China's growing prowess in developing large language models comparable to Western counterparts. Recent releases of their MiniMax2.5 model demonstrate capabilities putting them firmly in the global top tier.
Korean investors aren't alone in their enthusiasm. During its seven funding rounds, MiniMax attracted support from prominent venture firms including Yunchi Capital and Hillhouse Capital, creating what industry insiders call a "perfect storm" of investor confidence.
Bigger Than One Company
The MiniMax phenomenon points to broader trends:
- International validation of China's AI capabilities
- Commercial viability of homegrown large language models
- Shifting investor priorities toward fundamental AI research firms
The buying spree extends beyond MiniMax too - other Chinese tech firms specializing in semiconductors and large models also made Korea's top ten purchase list.
As one Seoul-based fund manager put it: "When you see where the smart money is going, China's AI sector is impossible to ignore."
Key Points:
- Record-breaking IPO: MiniMax went from founding to public listing faster than any AI company globally
- Investor darling: $20M+ net purchases from South Korea lead Hong Kong market activity
- Ecosystem play: Success signals maturation of China's entire AI development landscape
- Competitive edge: Domestic models now rival international leaders in performance benchmarks
