TECH

Meta Acquires Chinese-Founded AI Agent Startup Manus

Published: Dec. 30, 2025 11:39 a.m. GMT+8

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Meta announced on Monday that Manus will join the company to provide general agents for consumer and enterprise products, including Meta AI.

Meta Platforms Inc. has acquired Manus, a Singapore-based AI-agent startup founded by Chinese entrepreneurs that has experienced explosive growth, according to announcements from both companies.

Meta announced on Monday that Manus will join the social media giant to provide general-purpose agents for its consumer and business products, including Meta AI. While financial terms were not disclosed, Manus stated it will continue operations in Singapore and maintain its product subscriptions through its website and app.

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Meta acquired Singapore-based AI startup Manus, which achieved $100 million ARR within eight months of launch and had a $2 billion pre-deal valuation.
Manus, founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, will continue operating in Singapore and provide AI agents for Meta’s products.
The acquisition reflects intensifying competition among tech giants for advanced AI agents and followed a rapid negotiation process.

AI generated, for reference only

Who’s Who

Meta Platforms Inc.: Meta Platforms Inc. has acquired Manus, a Singapore-based AI-agent startup. Meta announced that Manus will provide general-purpose AI agents for its consumer and business products, including Meta AI. The acquisition highlights the tech giants' race to integrate autonomous AI agents. A Manus investor indicated the deal came together quickly, with the acquisition price being "neither too high nor too low" relative to Manus's pre-deal valuation of around $2 billion.

Manus: Manus is a Singapore-based AI-agent startup founded by Chinese entrepreneurs. It develops AI agents that automate complex tasks like web development and financial analysis. Meta Platforms Inc. recently acquired Manus, which experienced rapid growth since its March 2025 launch, achieving over $100 million in annual recurring revenue in eight months. The company's pre-deal valuation was around $2 billion.

Google: Google was a potential buyer for Manus, but its strategic priorities differed from Manus's. Despite Manus's rapid growth, it faced competition from tech giants like Google, which possesses larger user bases and stronger distribution channels.

OpenAI: OpenAI was among the potential buyers for Manus, though their strategic priorities differed. Despite competition from giants like OpenAI with larger user bases and distribution, Manus carved out a niche at the product level.

xAI Corp.: The article mentions xAI Corp. as one of the potential buyers for Manus. However, it indicates that regulatory hurdles made it difficult for xAI Corp. to gain approval for acquisitions exceeding $500 million.

Microsoft Corp.: Microsoft Corp. was mentioned as a potential buyer for Manus, but regulatory hurdles made it difficult for them to gain approval for acquisitions exceeding $500 million. This factor contributed to Manus being acquired by Meta Platforms Inc. instead.

Monica.im: Manus, an AI-agent startup recently acquired by Meta, was incubated by the startup Monica.im. Monica.im is mentioned as the incubator for Manus, co-founded by Red Xiao Hong, Ji Yichao, and Zhang Tao.

ByteDance Ltd.: ByteDance Ltd. is mentioned as the former employer of Zhang Tao, one of the co-founders of Manus. Zhang Tao was a product manager at ByteDance Ltd. before co-founding Manus, the AI-agent startup recently acquired by Meta Platforms Inc.

Benchmark: Benchmark, a U.S. venture capital firm, led a funding round for Manus in April. This investment valued the AI-agent startup at approximately $500 million at that time.

ZhenFund: ZhenFund is an early investor in Manus, a Singapore-based AI-agent startup. Anna Fang, a founding partner at ZhenFund, noted that Manus achieved a monthly growth rate of 20% to 30% after a significant product update in October, successfully carving out a niche despite competition from larger tech companies.

AI generated, for reference only

What Happened When

March 2025：: Manus had its viral launch.

April 2025：: Manus raised $75 million in a round led by Benchmark, with a company valuation at the time of approximately $500 million.

July 2025：: Manus relocated its China-based team to Singapore.

October 2025：: Manus released a major product update, after which the company maintained a monthly growth rate of 20% to 30%.

October or November 2025：: Meta made initial contact with Manus regarding the acquisition.

Mid-December 2025：: The acquisition of Manus by Meta was confirmed.

December 17, 2025：: Manus announced its annual recurring revenue (ARR) had surpassed $100 million in just eight months and reported a revenue run rate of $125 million.