Manus Reportedly in Talks to Raise $500M at $4B Valuation After Meta Deal Collapse
aiinsider ·
Chinese AI startup Manus is reportedly negotiating to raise $500 million at a $4 billion valuation following the collapse of its acquisition by Meta. The potential funding round includes interest from major investors such as IDG Capital, Boyu Capital, and Contemporary Amperex Technology, alongside existing backers Tencent and HSG. This financial move comes after Chinese regulators blocked Meta's $2 billion purchase due to concerns over export controls and talent retention. Early investors previously helped Manus repurchase shares at a lower valuation to facilitate its separation from the social media giant. The company has now resumed independent operations under its original founding team after relocating staff to Singapore. Manus is also considering restructuring efforts ahead of a possible initial public offering in Hong Kong. Known for its AI agent products and vibe-coding tools, the startup gained significant attention after a viral demonstration last year. These developments highlight the ongoing challenges and strategic shifts in the global AI investment landscape.
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