US/Singapore
Meta Acquires Singapore-Based AI Startup Manus AI in $2 Billion Deal, Strengthening Global Push for Autonomous Agents: Meta has reached an agreement to acquire Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup Manus AI in a deal valued at more than $2 billion, according to reports by The Wall Street Journal. Notably, the acquisition marks a rare instance of a U.S. technology giant buying an Asian AI company, while underscoring Meta’s ambition to scale general-purpose AI agents across its consumer and business ecosystem.
In a statement, Meta said the acquisition aligns with its goal to “deliver general-purpose agents across our consumer and business products,” including Meta AI. Meanwhile, Manus will continue to operate independently from Singapore and will maintain its subscription-based AI service for existing and new customers.
Founded with a focus on autonomous AI systems, Manus AI has quickly emerged as a leader in the fast-growing agentic AI space. The company sells subscription access to its flagship general-purpose AI agent, which can independently execute complex tasks such as market research, coding, data analysis, and automation. Recently, Manus reported an annual revenue run rate of $125 million, reflecting strong demand from global users and enterprises.
Since launching its first General AI Agent earlier this year, Manus has achieved rapid scale. Specifically, the platform has processed more than 147 trillion tokens and created over 80 million virtual computers, serving the daily needs of millions of users and businesses worldwide. Through continuous product iteration, the company has focused on making autonomous agents more reliable and practical across real-world use cases.
Meta emphasized that the Manus service will continue to be sold and operated as a standalone product, while its technology will also be integrated into Meta’s broader product suite. Furthermore, Manus’s engineering and research talent will join Meta to help deliver general-purpose agents at global scale.
“This announcement is more than just a headline—it’s validation of our pioneering work with General AI Agents,” the company said, adding that it sees itself as a critical execution layer that transforms advanced AI capabilities into scalable, end-to-end systems.
Importantly, Manus reassured customers that the acquisition will not disrupt existing services. The company will continue to operate from Singapore, while subscriptions will remain available through its app and website. Over time, however, the combined reach of Meta’s platforms could allow Manus to expand from millions of users to millions of businesses and billions of people worldwide.
“Joining Meta allows us to build on a stronger, more sustainable foundation without changing how Manus works or how decisions are made,” said Xiao Hong, CEO of Manus. “We’re excited about what the future holds with Meta and Manus working together, and we will continue to iterate the product and serve the users who have defined Manus from the beginning.”
Overall, the acquisition highlights Meta’s growing focus on autonomous AI agents and reinforces Asia’s rising importance in the global artificial intelligence landscape.
