AI Startup Manus Acquisition by Meta: What You Need to Know

Meta’s Acquisition Strategy

• In December 2025, Meta Platforms made a significant move by acquiring Manus, a leading AI startup based in Singapore, in a groundbreaking Meta Platforms has acquired Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup for over $2 billion. billion deal. Manus gained attention shortly after its debut with innovative AI agents capable of performing complex tasks such as screening job candidates, planning vacations, and conducting market analyses, outpacing competitors like OpenAI’s Deep Research. This acquisition marks an ambitious step in Meta’s AI-focused strategy, bringing both cutting-edge technology and substantial revenue potential from Manus’s already impressive

• 00 million in annual recurring revenue.

  Meta plans to maintain Manus’s operational independence while integrating its AI capabilities into Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, enhancing these platforms with more robust automation and intelligent interactions. This purchase not only reinforces Meta’s commitment to spearheading AI-driven innovation but also signals its intent to remain competitive in a rapidly expanding AI sector. For Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Manus offers a rare combination of profit generation and technological advancement, proving critical in justifying Meta’s massive investments into AI infrastructure.

• The acquisition aligns with Meta’s aim to boost automation in consumer and business products.
• The deal was aimed at accelerating AI innovation and integrating automation into Meta’s platforms.
• Meta will keep Manus running independently while integrating its AI agents into Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
• Manus’s AI agent tools have attracted interest from major tech firms like Microsoft, which tested Manus in Windows 11 PCs.

Manus’s Market and Financial Impact

• Manus demonstrated extraordinary market agility, achieving over

• 00 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within months of its public debut. This remarkable growth trajectory was driven by its subscription-based AI tools, appealing to both individual consumers and businesses alike. Manus’s AI agents, celebrated for their diverse capabilities such as job screening, financial analysis, and coding, gained traction quickly, enabling the startup to secure millions of paid users. Its success points to a growing demand for comprehensive, automated solutions, positioning Manus as a leader in delivering practical AI applications that generate early and significant revenue streams.

• Securing $75 million during its Series B funding round marked a major milestone for Manus, the AI-based startup that quickly rose to prominence. Led by Benchmark, the funding round not only brought the company substantial capital but also valued it at an impressive $500 million post-money, underscoring its sky-high potential. Benchmark’s inclusion of experienced partner Chetan Puttagunta to Manus’s board further solidified the startup’s credibility. Such backing highlighted immense confidence in Manus’s innovations, as its AI technology was already being recognized for outpacing competitors, a rare feat in a rapidly growing and competitive AI ecosystem. This funding enabled Manus to aggressively expand its offerings, setting the stage for its eventual acquisition by Meta.

• Manus’s aggressive push to the market is highlighted by its claim of superior performance over OpenAI’s Deep Research.
• Meta plans to expand Manus’s current subscription service to reach more businesses.

Historical and Operational Shifts

• Originally founded as Butterfly Effect in Beijing in 2022, Manus emerged as a transformative startup in the AI space. In 2025, the company strategically relocated its headquarters to Singapore, a move that reflected both its quest for global expansion and the desire to navigate geopolitical and regulatory complexities. This shift also positioned Manus within a region recognized for fostering innovation while distancing itself from the growing tensions between Chinese enterprises and Western markets. Singapore’s robust tech ecosystem and international appeal provided Manus with a solid foundation for scaling its operations and broadening its reach globally.

• Concerns about Chinese ties led Manus to end operations in China post-acquisition.
• The acquisition led Manus to sever links with Chinese investors amid political scrutiny.

Product and Technology Development

• Manus developed general-purpose AI agents used for tasks like market research and coding.
• Meta emphasizes scaling Manus’s technology across its platforms, meeting further business demands.

Strategic Business Alliances

• Manus paved the way for deeper technological partnerships, including a notable agreement with Alibaba’s Qwen AI.
• Benchmark and other global investment firms played significant roles in Manus’s funding.
• Meta aims to leverage Manus not just for technology but also for strategic global positioning against rivals.

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