TMTPOST — Chinese tech firm Kuaishou Technology’s artificial intelligence video generation unit, Kling AI, is pursuing its first post-spin-off funding round at a pre-money valuation of $18 billion, according to people familiar with the matter on Wednesday. The fundraising serves as a Pre-IPO financing round as the business structures its operations independently from its parent company. Internal targets indicate that Kling AI is currently expediting its preparatory corporate workflow to submit a formal listing application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange by early 2027. Kuaishou previously confirmed that its board of directors has been evaluating an operational restructuring plan for Kling AI's assets to leverage external financial resources. However, the parent company noted that negotiations remain in the preliminary stages and no definitive agreements have been finalized.