Home / Business and Economy / AI Giant Resurfaces After Meta Deal Collapse
AI Giant Resurfaces After Meta Deal Collapse
18 Sep
Summary
- Manus aims for $500 million funding at a $4 billion valuation.
- An earlier $2 billion acquisition deal with Meta was blocked by Beijing.
- The company is preparing for a potential Hong Kong IPO.
Chinese AI startup Manus is reportedly seeking to raise $500 million, valuing the company at $4 billion, approximately six months after a significant merger with Meta was called off. This renewed fundraising effort follows Manus's resumption of independent operations. Investors being considered for this round include IDG Capital, Boyu Capital, and Contemporary Amperex Technology, alongside existing backers like Tencent. The company previously saw its $2 billion acquisition by Meta blocked by Beijing in December 2025, citing export control and foreign investment rule concerns, amid broader worries in China about AI talent drain. Manus has since been disentangling itself from Meta, with early investors reportedly assisting in a share buyback at a lower valuation. As part of regulatory compliance, the company deleted user data generated post-Meta acquisition. Manus is now also exploring a restructuring to potentially list on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
