Meta Platforms has acquired Manus, a Singapore-based AI startup originally founded in China, specializing in general-purpose autonomous AI agents.
Reports indicate around $2 billion or slightly more, up to $3 billion in some sources, though Meta has not officially disclosed terms. This makes it one of Meta’s largest acquisitions in recent years, behind WhatsApp ($19B) and its investment in Scale AI up to $15B equivalent.
Manus was founded in 2022 in China (Beijing/Wuhan) by entrepreneur Xiao Hong as part of Butterfly Effect Technology also known as Monica.im. The company relocated headquarters to Singapore in mid-2025 amid US-China tech tensions.
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It gained fame in early 2025 for launching what it called the world’s first fully autonomous general AI agent, capable of complex tasks like market research, coding, data analysis, vacation planning, and job screening with minimal prompting.
Manus quickly reached over $100 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) just months after launch, with a run rate exceeding $125 million. It processed 147 trillion tokens and created over 80 million virtual computers, serving millions of users via subscription plans.
Meta plans to integrate Manus’s agent technology into its products like Meta AI, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp to enhance automation for consumers and businesses. Manus will continue operating independently as a subscription service from Singapore, with its team including CEO Xiao Hong, who becomes a Meta VP joining Meta.
Due to Manus’s Chinese origins and ongoing US scrutiny of China-linked AI prior reviews of US investments like Benchmark’s $75M round, Meta stated there will be no remaining Chinese ownership interests post-acquisition. Manus will discontinue operations and services in China.
This move caps Meta’s aggressive 2025 AI push, including other acquisitions like Limitless for AI wearables, PlayAI, WaveForms, Rivos and heavy investments in talent and infrastructure under CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s focus on “superintelligence” and agentic AI.
Meta’s acquisition of Manus accelerates its push toward agentic AI—autonomous systems that execute complex, multi-step tasks independently, beyond chatbots. Manus excels in market research, coding, data analysis, resume screening, and automation, processing over 147 trillion tokens and creating 80+ million virtual computers while serving millions of users.
Integration into Meta’s Ecosystem
The technology will enhance Meta AI, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and business tools, enabling automation for billions of consumers and millions of SMBs like AI-driven ad optimization, content creation, customer service.
Meta has lagged in fully autonomous agents compared to OpenAI’s projects like Operator/Deep Research and Google’s tools. This deal provides a proven, revenue-generating product ~$100M+ ARR in months, fast-tracking Meta’s “personal superintelligence” vision under Mark Zuckerberg.
Manus’s ~100-person team, including CEO Xiao Hong, joins Meta, complementing recent hires like Alexandr Wang from Scale AI and open-source Llama efforts. This positions Meta more aggressively against leaders in the AI race: Vs. OpenAI and Anthropic ? Manus previously outperformed OpenAI’s Deep Research on benchmarks like GAIA; now scaled by Meta’s distribution, it could challenge ChatGPT’s dominance in consumer/enterprise agents.
Enhances Meta’s edge in user-facing automation, potentially disrupting Google’s search/tools and Microsoft’s Copilot integrations. Signals Big Tech’s shift to acquiring mature agent tech rather than building solely in-house, intensifying talent wars and M&A in AI.
Overall, it strengthens Meta’s transition from social media to a general-purpose AI platform. Manus’s subscription model, $20/month for businesses provides Meta its first direct AI revenue stream amid massive infrastructure spending ($60B+ planned). Premium features like advanced agents in WhatsApp/Instagram could drive new subscriptions/ads.
Acquiring a startup that hit $100M+ ARR in ~9 months highlights agentic AI’s commercial viability, potentially boosting investor confidence in Meta’s AI bets. Encourages AI-native workflows, reducing reliance on traditional software; businesses may shift to Meta’s ecosystem for automation.
Manus’s Chinese origins (founded in Beijing/Wuhan, relocated to Singapore in 2025) make this a rare US-China tech crossover amid tensions. National security scrutiny — Likely CFIUS review due to AI’s strategic importance; US lawmakers like Sen. John Cornyn have flagged China-linked investments.
Meta explicitly states: no remaining Chinese ownership, full discontinuation of China operations/services. This aims to preempt blocks but won’t eliminate oversight. Underscores AI innovation’s borderless nature, with Singapore emerging as a hub; could influence US policy on foreign AI acquisitions.
This ~$2-4B deal is a high-stakes bet that bolsters Meta’s AI leadership, delivers near-term revenue potential, and navigates geopolitical risks—potentially reshaping autonomous AI adoption in 2026 and beyond.