TL;DR: Stepfun (阶跃星辰) raised $718M in January 2026, making it one of China's best-funded AI startups. Its Step-2 model has 1T+ parameters with multimodal capabilities across text, image, video, and audio. View Stepfun tool page
What Is Stepfun?
Stepfun (阶跃星辰) is a Chinese AI startup founded in 2023 that has rapidly become one of the most well-funded AI companies globally. In January 2026, it raised $718M — the largest Chinese AI funding round in 12 months. The company has released 11 foundational models and partnered with device makers Honor, Oppo, and ZTE.
The Step-2 Model
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Parameters | 1 trillion+ |
| Modalities | Text, image, video, audio |
| Context Window | Long-context support |
| Partnerships | Honor, Oppo, ZTE (on-device AI) |
| Total Models | 11 foundational models released |
Try Stepfun
Visit Stepfun's official website or view Stepfun tool page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Stepfun compare to DeepSeek?
Stepfun focuses on multimodal models and device partnerships. DeepSeek is known for cost-efficient, open-source reasoning models. They complement different use cases.
Can I use Stepfun's API?
Yes. Stepfun offers API access for developers. Check the official site for pricing and documentation.
