Meta Platforms has acquired the artificial intelligence startup Manus. The transaction is valued at $2 billion. This price point matches the valuation Manus sought for its next funding round. The Singapore-based company specializes in AI agents. These agents handle complex workflows such as screening job candidates and analyzing stock portfolios.
The startup launched last spring. It quickly claimed to outperform competitors like OpenAI in research tasks. Venture capital firm Benchmark led a $75 million funding round in April. That round valued the company at $500 million. Other early backers included Tencent and Sequoia China. Manus recently announced it generates over $100 million in annual recurring revenue.
This revenue stream is a key factor for Meta. CEO Mark Zuckerberg faces scrutiny regarding the company's $60 billion capital expenditure plan. Manus offers immediate monetization unlike many research projects. Meta intends to operate Manus independently. The technology will also be integrated into WhatsApp and Instagram.
The deal carries geopolitical implications. Manus was originally founded in Beijing in 2022. The founders moved the headquarters to Singapore only recently. This history prompted criticism from US lawmakers. Senator John Cornyn questioned the flow of American capital into the entity earlier this year. Meta has moved to preempt regulatory issues. The company confirmed that Manus will sever all ties with Chinese investors. It will also discontinue services in China immediately.
