Meta Buys AI Startup Manus to Accelerate Artificial Intelligence Push

Meta is acquiring artificial intelligence startup Manus as the owner of Facebook and Instagram steps up efforts to expand AI capabilities across its platforms. The company did not disclose financial terms, though The Wall Street Journal reported the deal was valued at more than $2 billion.

Manus, a Singapore-based platform with Chinese roots, launched a general-purpose AI agent earlier this year offering paid tools for research, coding and other tasks. Meta said Manus already serves millions of users worldwide and will help deliver AI agents across its consumer and business products, including Meta AI.

Manus CEO Xiao Hong said joining Meta would provide a stronger foundation without changing how the platform operates. Manus will continue selling subscriptions through its own app and website and confirmed it will remain based in Singapore.

The startup has grown rapidly, announcing earlier this month that it surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue just eight months after launch. Early backers reportedly included Tencent Holdings, ZhenFund and HSG.

Meta said there will be no continuing Chinese ownership interests after the deal and that Manus will discontinue operations in China. The move comes as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg seeks to strengthen the company’s AI position amid competition from Google and OpenAI. In June, Meta invested $14.3 billion in Scale AI and recruited its CEO to help lead advanced AI development.