Meta has announced the acquisition of artificial intelligence startup Manus, marking another major step in its aggressive expansion into advanced AI technologies. While Meta did not disclose the financial terms of the deal, sources cited by Reuters estimate the transaction value of Manus at between $2 billion and $3 billion.
The acquisition aims to integrate Manus’ autonomous agent technology into Meta’s growing ecosystem of consumer and enterprise AI products. Despite the purchase, Manus will continue to operate independently, maintaining its subscription-based service through its own website and mobile app, while also collaborating closely with Meta’s internal AI teams.
In an official statement, Meta said Manus’ technology would help accelerate innovation in business-focused AI solutions. The company plans to incorporate Manus’ general-purpose AI agents into several offerings, including its Meta AI assistant, as well as future tools designed for enterprise customers.
Manus CEO Xiao Hong emphasised that the deal would not alter the startup’s core operations or decision-making structure. According to him, partnering with Meta provides the company with a stronger and more sustainable foundation, allowing it to scale faster without sacrificing its independence.
The acquisition comes at a sensitive time for Meta, as investors continue to scrutinize the company’s heavy spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure. Meta is expected to invest more than $60 billion in AI-related development, data centres, and computing capacity.
However, CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly views Manus as a strategic asset because it already generates significant recurring revenue, estimated at over $100 million annually.
Founded in China in 2022, Manus relocated its headquarters to Singapore in mid-2025, following a broader trend of technology companies seeking to reduce geopolitical risks associated with U.S.–China relations. After the acquisition, Meta confirmed that Manus will no longer have any Chinese ownership interests and will discontinue its services in China.
Manus first gained widespread attention earlier this year after launching what it described as the world’s first “general AI agent.” Unlike traditional chatbots that respond primarily to user prompts, Manus’ system is designed to autonomously complete complex tasks from start to finish. The technology can conduct market research, write and execute code, analyse data, and manage multi-step workflows with minimal human input.
In public demonstrations, Manus’ AI agent successfully handled tasks such as screening job candidates, planning full travel itineraries, and evaluating stock portfolios. The company has claimed its performance rivals or exceeds that of competing solutions from major AI labs, positioning it as a standout player in the rapidly evolving autonomous AI space.
With this acquisition, Meta signals its intention to move beyond conversational AI and toward systems capable of acting independently—an approach that could reshape how businesses and consumers interact with artificial intelligence in the years ahead.
