Meta Acquires AI Startup Manus for $2.5B in Global AI Power Play
Meta Platforms has secured a $2.5 billion deal to acquire Singapore-based AI firm Manus, formerly rooted in China, signaling intensified competition in artificial intelligence dominance. The transaction includes a $500 million retention pool for key personnel.
The acquisition spotlights geopolitical tensions in tech, as Manus executives deliberately rebuffed Chinese investment offers to maintain Western market access. Founders Xiao Hong and Ji Yichao severed ties with potential Chinese partners, including abandoning a planned collaboration with Alibaba, to preserve international expansion prospects.
Manus specializes in AI-powered research automation, leveraging models from industry players like Anthropic. This strategic MOVE by Meta underscores the escalating value of neutral-ground AI startups amid US-China tech decoupling.