Meta has agreed to acquire Manus, the Chinese-founded artificial intelligence startup now based in Singapore, in a transaction reported by sources to be worth between US$2 billion and US$3 billion. The purchase is the latest example of major technology companies bolstering their AI offerings through targeted acquisitions.
Meta buys Manus in strategic AI move
Manus gained attention earlier this year after its demonstration of what it described as a general AI agent capable of making decisions and executing tasks with minimal human prompting. The firm has claimed its agent outperforms competing systems and has formed a strategic collaboration with Alibaba on model development. Meta said it will operate and sell the Manus service and will integrate its technology into existing consumer and business products, including Meta AI.
Financial terms were not officially disclosed by the companies. A source with direct knowledge of the matter told reporters that the deal values Manus at between US$2 billion and US$3 billion. The startup had raised US$75 million earlier this year at a valuation of around US$500 million, with Benchmark leading that round. Other investors include HSG, ZhenFund and Tencent Holdings.
Manus is backed by its parent, Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology, and has relocated its headquarters to Singapore in recent years. The move mirrors a broader trend among some Chinese technology firms that have shifted operations to the city-state, seeking to reduce the risk of disruption stemming from heightened geopolitical tensions between China and the United States.
The acquisition comes amid a wave of AI-focused deals and hires across the tech sector. Earlier this year Meta invested in data-labelling company Scale AI, a transaction that brought Scale’s chief executive into a senior role at Meta. The company’s purchase of Manus signals continued appetite for specialised AI teams and products that can be folded into larger platforms.
For Manus, the deal offers immediate access to Meta’s vast user base and product ecosystem, which could accelerate deployment of its autonomous agent technology. For Meta, the acquisition provides both talent and a potentially differentiated product to strengthen offerings that compete with other leading AI providers.
Observers noted the geopolitical dimension to the story. Although Manus is Chinese-founded, its Singapore headquarters and international investor base reflect strategic repositioning by firms operating between major markets. The transaction may ease some regulatory and operational frictions but could also attract scrutiny as governments review sensitive AI technologies and foreign investments.
Meta confirmed the transaction but provided few public details. Manus did not immediately respond to requests for comment. As large technology firms continue to compete for the best AI teams and models, acquisitions such as this are likely to remain a central strategy for rapidly enhancing product capabilities.
The deal illustrates how innovation, capital and geopolitics intersect in the global technology sector, as companies seek both technical advantage and resilience in an increasingly strategic market for advanced artificial intelligence.
Key Takeaways:
- Meta buys Manus, a Chinese-founded AI startup now based in Singapore, in a deal reported at US$2–3 billion.
- Manus claims its autonomous AI agent outperforms rivals and has partnerships with Alibaba and several major investors.
- Meta will operate and integrate Manus technology across its consumer and business offerings, expanding its AI capabilities.
- The acquisition highlights growing strategic investment in AI amid heightened US-China tech competition and corporate relocations to Singapore.
