Meta to Acquire AI Startup Manus to Accelerate Advanced AI Integration

Meta Platforms announced on Monday its plan to acquire Chinese-founded artificial intelligence startup Manus, signaling the social media giant’s push to expand its advanced AI capabilities across its products, including Meta AI.

While financial terms were not officially disclosed, a source with direct knowledge of the matter estimated Manus’s valuation at between $2 billion and $3 billion. The Singapore-based startup, founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, has attracted significant investor interest, raising $75 million this year in a funding round led by Benchmark.

Meta plans to integrate Manus’s technology into its AI-driven offerings, which could enhance the company’s platforms with more sophisticated machine learning and generative AI functionalities. Industry analysts note that the acquisition aligns with broader trends of major tech firms investing heavily in AI startups to accelerate innovation, gain talent, and maintain competitive advantage.

Manus has gained recognition for its work in advanced AI research and applications, making it an attractive target for Meta, which continues to face intense competition from rivals such as Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI in the AI space. The acquisition is expected to bolster Meta’s AI initiatives, improve product personalization, and potentially expand its reach in virtual reality and metaverse applications.

The deal highlights the growing importance of AI technologies in shaping the future of digital platforms and online services, as companies race to develop more intelligent, responsive, and immersive user experiences.