<div id="readability-page-1"><div><div><h2>Meta Acquires Manus to Expand Its AI Business and Revenue Streams</h2><p>Meta Platforms has agreed to acquire Manus, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup with Chinese origins, in a deal reportedly worth between US$2 billion and US$3 billion.</p><p>The acquisition allows Meta to integrate Manus’ AI technology into its consumer and business products, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and its existing Meta AI service, while continuing to operate Manus independently from Singapore.</p><div><div><blockquote><div dir="ltr" lang="en"><p>Excited to announce that @ManusAI has joined Meta to help us build amazing AI products!</p><p>The Manus team in Singapore are world class at exploring the capability overhang of today’s models to scaffold powerful agents.</p><p>Looking forward to working with you, @Red_Xiao_!</p></div>— Alexandr Wang (@alexandr_wang) December 29, 2025</blockquote></div></div><h2>Why Manus Has Attracted Global Attention</h2><p>Manus gained prominence earlier this year when it released what it claimed to be the world’s first general AI agent capable of performing tasks autonomously with minimal prompting.</p><p>The AI agent demonstrated abilities such as screening job candidates, planning trips, and analysing stock portfolios, and the company asserted that its performance surpassed OpenAI’s DeepResearch.</p><p>The startup, originally founded in Beijing under its parent company, Butterfly Effect Technology, relocated to Singapore mid-year to mitigate risks from Sino-US tensions.</p><p>Beijing has reportedly shown interest in supporting Manus, which also maintains a strategic partnership with Alibaba for AI collaboration.</p><h2>A Rapid Deal With Clear Financial Returns</h2><p>Meta struck the agreement in around 10 days, according to Bloomberg, purchasing all existing investor stakes.</p><p>Manus had raised US$75 million earlier this year at a valuation of around US$500 million, led by US venture firm Benchmark, with other backers including Tencent, ZhenFund, and HSG.</p><div><div><blockquote><div dir="ltr" lang="en"><p>Chinese Agentic AI Startup @ManusAI_HQ gets $75 Million Led by Benchmark, Valued At $500 Million.</p><p>Manus AI came into spotlight when they demoed their General AI Agent in March. They have now raised $75 Million to expand in new markets including US, Japan, &amp; Middle East. https://t.co/QKxgitSwTVpic.twitter.com/9QWT2wxJl7</p></div>— Karan Bhatia (@karanbhatia5757) April 26, 2025</blockquote></div></div><p>At the time of the acquisition, Manus was generating an annual revenue run rate of $125 million from subscriptions to its AI agent.</p><p>For Meta, this represents a rare opportunity to acquire an AI product that is already producing revenue, potentially offsetting parts of its broader US$60 billion AI infrastructure spending.</p><div><div><blockquote><div dir="ltr" lang="en"><p>Mark Zuckerberg on Friday says to invest $60-$65 billion in 2025 to enhance its AI infrastructure, aiming to compete with OpenAI and Google. </p><p>Now, $META hits an ALL TIME HIGHS of $657.94. pic.twitter.com/rWDrNt8C1n</p></div>— GlobalX (@GlobalXInt) January 27, 2025</blockquote></div></div><h2>Addressing Geopolitical Concerns</h2><p>Meta confirmed that following the acquisition, Manus will have no remaining ties to Chinese investors and will discontinue all operations in China.</p><p>AMeta spokesperson shared,</p><blockquote>“There will be no continuing Chinese ownership interests in Manus AI following the transaction, and Manus AI will discontinue its services and operations in China.”</blockquote><div><div><blockquote><div dir="ltr" lang="zh"><p>Manus 今年 3 月产品上线，23、24 年真格基金分别以 1400 和 5000 万美金估值，参与种子和天使轮。公司起家在中国武汉，两个创始人均是中国大陆人。</p><p>中国公司、中国员工、中国机构</p><p>在产品上线后的第 9 个月，被扎克伯格的 Meta 公司数十亿美金收购。</p><p>这就是此时的 AI 行业。 https://t.co/d8zkxwwbxkpic.twitter.com/akFWhnUfzh</p></div>— AB Kuai.Dong (@_FORAB) December 30, 2025</blockquote></div></div><p>The move comes amid heightened scrutiny in the US over investments in Chinese-founded technology firms.</p><p>Senator John Cornyn, a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, previously questioned Benchmark’s investment in Manus, reflecting broader bipartisan concerns about US capital flowing into Chinese AI ventures.</p><h2>Zuckerberg’s AI Ambitions Take Shape</h2><p>For Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Manus offers a dual advantage: a technology that can be integrated across Meta’s platforms and a revenue-generating AI product at a time when investor attention on Meta’s AI spending is intensifying.</p><p>The Manus AI agent’s capabilities align with Meta’s vision to make AI more central to everyday business and consumer services.</p><p>With millions of users already signed up and a membership model generating recurring revenue, Manus represents a rare instance of an AI startup with both commercial traction and strategic potential for a global tech giant.</p><h2>Manus’ Journey From Beijing to Singapore</h2><p>Founded in Beijing in 2022, Manus quickly caught attention in the AI sector and was often compared to China’s DeepSeek.</p><div><div><blockquote><div dir="ltr" lang="en"><p>2/ A new AI agent called 'Manus' is taking over the internet.</p><p>People are calling this China's second DeepSeek moment.</p><p>Reports suggest it is more accurate than DeepSeek, capable of simultaneously handling financial transactions, research, purchasing, etc pic.twitter.com/eSOCqf4v69</p></div>— Barsee 🐶 (@heyBarsee) March 8, 2025</blockquote></div></div><p>Its decision to base operations in Singapore reflects a growing trend among Chinese AI firms seeking stability and reduced geopolitical risk while continuing to access global markets.</p><p>The acquisition reinforces Meta’s commitment to AI as a core focus, combining technological promise with immediate business returns, and positions the company to compete more aggressively in the evolving AI landscape.</p></div></div></div>

Meta Acquires Singapore-Based AI Startup Manus for $2 Billion to Boost Facebook Instagram and WhatsApp AI