What happened
Meta said it will acquire Manus, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup known for building autonomous “agent” software that can execute multi-step tasks with minimal prompting. Meta did not disclose financial terms, but a source familiar with the transaction told Reuters the deal values Manus at $2 billion to $3 billion.
Manus drew global attention earlier in 2025 after releasing what it described as a “general AI agent”—software designed to move beyond conversation and take actions such as researching, planning, and completing tasks.
Why Meta is doing it
Meta’s stated plan is to operate and sell the Manus service while also integrating its agent capabilities into Meta’s consumer and business products, including Meta AI.
Strategically, the deal highlights a shift in the AI race from simply having a strong model to owning the execution layer—tools that can perform work on a user’s behalf inside messaging, productivity, and business workflows. Reuters cited a bullish analyst view that Manus could slot into Meta’s growing WhatsApp footprint for small and medium businesses, aligning with Mark Zuckerberg’s “agentic” AI vision.
The business context
Manus has been scaling as a paid subscription platform. AP reported the company said it surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue roughly eight months after launch, an unusually fast ramp that helps explain why Meta would pay a premium to buy both product momentum and talent.
The acquisition also fits Meta’s broader pattern of accelerating its AI program through major bets. Reuters reported Meta previously invested in Scale AI in a deal valuing the data-labeling firm at $29 billion.
Geopolitical and regulatory scrutiny
Manus is Chinese-founded and was previously headquartered in China before moving to Singapore, amid heightened U.S.–China technology tensions.
That background raises likely regulatory questions. Reuters quoted Emarketer analyst Jeremy Goldman warning that “scrutiny is almost guaranteed” when “Chinese roots” and “AI” appear together.
AP reported Meta said there will be no continuing Chinese ownership interests in Manus after the transaction and that Manus would discontinue services and operations in China while remaining based in Singapore.
What to watch next
Product integration timeline
How quickly Manus capabilities surface inside Meta AI and WhatsApp business tools will indicate whether Meta bought Manus primarily for technology, distribution, or both.
Regulatory process
Expect attention on governance, data handling, and cross-border ownership history given Manus’s origins and partnerships.
Competitive response
Rivals are also pushing “agentic AI.” A deal of this size may trigger a new wave of agent-focused acquisitions and talent moves.