Meta Acquisition of Manus AI 2025: Zuckerberg Drops $2B for Profit-Making Agents

Zuckerberg is writing a check for a startup that’s already writing its own. Meta Platforms just snapped up Manus, the Singapore-based AI agent startup that's been the talk of Silicon Valley since its viral demo this spring. By paying $2 billion, Meta is betting big on an AI product that doesn't just chat—it makes money.

The Meta Acquisition of Manus AI 2025: From Viral Demo to $2B Exit

Per the WSJ, Meta matched the exact valuation Manus was seeking for its next funding round. It's a meteoric rise for a firm that was valued at $500 million just months ago when Benchmark led a $75 million round. Manus’ AI agent, which handles everything from stock analysis to vacation planning, reportedly outperforms OpenAI’s Deep Research.

Severing Chinese Ties Amid Political Pressure

The deal isn't without controversy. Manus was originally founded as Butterfly Effect in Beijing back in 2022 before moving to Singapore. Early backers included Tencent and HSG (formerly Sequoia China), which raised eyebrows in Washington.

To navigate these geopolitical waters, Meta told Nikkei Asia that Manus will cease all operations in China and eliminate any continuing Chinese ownership interests. This 'clean break' is essential for Meta to avoid the regulatory crosshairs of the Senate Intelligence Committee.