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The acquisition highlights Meta’s shift toward revenue-generating AI and signals growing US interest in Asia-built AI startups
Meta Platforms has agreed to acquire Manus, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup specialising in general-purpose AI agents, in a deal valued at more than $2 billion, according to people familiar with the matter. The acquisition caps a year of aggressive AI investment by Meta and stands out as one of the largest US takeovers of an Asia-built AI company.
Manus was originally established in China and later moved its base to Singapore. It builds general-purpose AI agents that can handle multi-step work such as research, software development, data processing and website generation for paying customers. Sources said the company was preparing to raise new capital at a $2 billion valuation when Meta entered acquisition talks. Meta did not disclose deal terms.
Why Manus mattered to Meta
Manus attracted global attention earlier this year after releasing a demo showing its AI agent completing multi-step tasks typically handled by knowledge workers. The product gained traction quickly, positioning Manus as a potential alternative to research tools from firms such as OpenAI.
Crucially, Manus is already generating revenue at scale. The company said it crossed $100 million in annual recurring revenue just eight months after launch, with revenue run rates exceeding $125 million. That commercial traction sets Manus apart at a time when investors are increasingly scrutinising AI companies for monetisation, not just technical capability.
For Meta, which has spent tens of billions of dollars building AI infrastructure, Manus represents a rare combination: an AI agent product that is already in market, growing fast, and making money.
Leadership and operating structure
Manus co-founder and chief executive Xiao Hong, known internally as “Red,” will report to Javier Olivan, according to people familiar with the deal. Meta said Manus employees will join its teams, while the startup will continue operating its subscription business independently from Singapore.
