Meta announced on Monday that it will acquire Manus, a Chinese-founded artificial intelligence startup, as the company accelerates its push to deploy advanced AI technologies across its platforms.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. However, a source familiar with the transaction said the acquisition values the Singapore-based firm at between $2 billion and $3 billion. Manus did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this year, Manus gained widespread attention after unveiling what it described as the world’s first general AI agent. The system is designed to make decisions and carry out tasks autonomously, requiring far less user input than traditional AI chatbots. The launch sparked strong interest online and led some observers to compare the company to China’s next major AI breakthrough.
Chinese authorities have since shown interest in supporting Manus, which claims its AI agent outperforms OpenAI’s DeepResearch model. The startup has also formed a strategic partnership with Alibaba to collaborate on AI model development.
Meta said it plans to operate and commercialize the Manus platform, integrating the technology into both consumer and enterprise offerings, including Meta AI. The move reflects a broader trend among global technology companies to strengthen their AI capabilities through acquisitions and high-profile talent hires.
Earlier this year, Meta invested in Scale AI, a deal that valued the company at $29 billion and brought its founder and CEO Alexandr Wang into the spotlight as one of the industry’s youngest prominent leaders.
Manus, which is backed by its parent company Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology, raised $75 million earlier this year at a valuation of roughly $500 million, according to the same source. The funding round was led by U.S. venture capital firm Benchmark.
Other investors include HSG, formerly known as Sequoia Capital China, ZhenFund, and Chinese technology giant Tencent Holdings, according to PitchBook data.
Manus is part of a growing group of Chinese technology firms that have chosen to base their operations in Singapore. Many see the city-state as a strategic hub that offers stability and reduces the risk of disruption stemming from ongoing geopolitical tensions between China and the United States.
