Meta has agreed to buy Manus, a rapidly growing AI startup with Chinese origins now headquartered in Singapore, in a deal valued at more than $2 billion, according to reports.
The acquisition highlights both Silicon Valley’s accelerating AI spending and the growing geopolitical sensitivity around startups founded in China. Manus develops AI “agents” capable of handling complex, multi-step digital tasks, technology Meta plans to integrate into products like its Meta AI assistant across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Founded in 2022 as a project under Beijing-based Monica.im before relocating to Singapore, Manus has expanded quickly, claiming $100 million in annual recurring revenue and a $125 million run rate driven largely by subscriptions. Its tools can screen résumés, plan travel, analyze portfolios, and automate business workflows, positioning the software as a virtual co-worker rather than a simple chatbot.
For Meta, the deal fits into a broader strategy of heavy investment in AI infrastructure, models, and talent. The company says the transaction will eliminate any remaining Chinese ownership in Manus and end its operations in China, easing regulatory and political concerns in the U.S.
Manus founder Xiao Hong described the sale as a chance to scale globally, while Meta plans to keep the service running and absorb the roughly 100-person team into its wider AI organization.