Manus Founder Plans to Raise About $1 Billion to Undo Meta Acquisition

According to Bloomberg, the three co-founders of Manus are discussing raising about $1 billion from external investors to repurchase the agent AI business previously acquired by Meta. The related financing valuation must at least match the $2 billion Meta paid for the acquisition, and the founders may also invest their own funds to complement the transaction.

The previous acquisition has faced uncertainties due to the intervention of Chinese regulatory authorities. In April, Chinese regulators demanded the cancellation of the deal, primarily concerned about the transfer of sensitive AI technology and core talents to a U.S. company. Bloomberg states that Manus employees have moved into Meta's Singapore office, transaction funds have been transferred, and investors such as Tencent, ZhenFund, and HSG have also received exit payments, making "withdrawing from the transaction" no longer just a matter of signing a new agreement.

The greater difficulty lies in the technical split. Informed sources say that a considerable part of Manus's agent AI technology has already been integrated into the Meta system, and even if external investors are willing to participate in the repurchase, they also need to confirm whether the new company can obtain complete and operable core assets.

Bloomberg states that some investors have expressed interest in participating in the repurchase because Manus is expected to generate about $1 billion in revenue this year; however, the valuation, capital contribution ratio, and whether the founders ultimately proceed have not yet been determined. The path currently under discussion is to re-establish Manus as a Chinese joint venture and seek a Hong Kong listing in the future.