Meta Platforms Inc. has agreed to acquire Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup Manus, a key player in autonomous AI agent technology, in a transaction valued at more than $2 billion.
The deal marks one of Meta’s most significant AI purchases and underscores the company’s continued push to expand its artificial intelligence offerings across its suite of platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Meta AI. Financial terms were not officially disclosed, but multiple industry sources placed the valuation above $2 billion.
Manus, founded in China before relocating its headquarters to Singapore, developed general-purpose AI agents capable of autonomously performing complex multi-step tasks, such as data analysis, coding and market research. The startup reached rapid commercial traction this year, reporting more than $100 million in annualized revenue shortly after its public launch.
Meta said Manus will continue operating as a subscription-based service out of Singapore, where it will retain its brand and sell its offerings independently while integrating its technology into Meta’s broader AI ecosystem. The company also confirmed that all Chinese ownership interests have been bought out and that Manus’s operations in China will be discontinued following the acquisition.
The acquisition comes amid fierce competition among major tech firms vying to lead in artificial intelligence development, with rivals such as OpenAI, Google and Microsoft also making high-profile investments and talent acquisitions in the sector. Meta has previously spent billions on AI infrastructure and capabilities, including its purchase of AI data firm Scale earlier this year.
Analysts say the deal expands Meta’s capacity to deploy autonomous “agentic” AI tools that go beyond traditional chatbot interfaces, reflecting a broader industry shift toward AI systems that can perform real-world tasks with minimal human prompting.
For more news and reports on emerging technologies, including AI, robotics, cybersecurity, blockchain, gaming and the evolving gig economy, visit the home page of The Gignomist.