Meta Platforms has agreed to acquire Manus, a fast-growing artificial-intelligence startup known for building autonomous digital agents, in a deal valued by recent investors at about $500 million, according to people familiar with the matter, underscoring Silicon Valley's intensifying race to control the next generation of AI systems.
The transaction, which has not been formally priced by the companies, follows a funding round earlier this year that valued Manus at roughly $500 million. Market participants said negotiations at various stages placed the company's value significantly higher, reflecting intense competition among large technology firms to secure talent and products capable of operating with minimal human input.
Manus, founded in Singapore with engineering roots in China through its parent company Beijing Butterfly Effect Technology, has drawn attention for developing so-called autonomous agents-software systems designed to plan, execute and complete multistep tasks independently rather than merely respond to prompts. The company's tools can conduct research, compile reports, analyze data, manage schedules and automate workflows while operating continuously in the cloud.
The startup's rapid commercial growth has made it a standout in the crowded artificial-intelligence sector. People familiar with its performance say Manus reached more than $100 million in annual recurring revenue within months of launching its first product in early 2025, with overall revenue run-rate exceeding $125 million. Such growth is unusual even by Silicon Valley standards and helped attract interest from major technology buyers.
Meta's move fits into a broader strategy led by Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg to build advanced AI infrastructure across the company's ecosystem, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and its virtual-reality platforms. The company has poured billions of dollars into AI research, model training and data-center expansion, while also backing outside firms and internal research groups focused on next-generation systems.
People familiar with the transaction say Meta was drawn to Manus not only for its technology but also for its ability to operate at scale with paying enterprise customers. Autonomous agents are increasingly viewed as a potential successor to chat-based assistants, offering companies tools that can execute tasks end-to-end without continuous oversight.
In a statement announcing the deal, Manus Chief Executive Xiao Hong said: "Joining Meta allows us to build on a stronger, more sustainable foundation without changing how Manus works or how decisions are made." He added, "We're excited about what the future holds with Meta and Manus working together and we will continue to iterate the product and serve users that have defined Manus from the beginning."
Industry analysts note that Meta's acquisition comes as competition with OpenAI, Google and other AI developers intensifies around agent-based systems that promise to automate white-collar work. Unlike traditional chatbots, these systems can operate asynchronously, coordinate multiple tools and complete tasks while users are offline.
The acquisition also reflects Meta's broader effort to integrate revenue-generating AI products into its portfolio at a time when investors are scrutinizing the company's heavy capital spending. While Meta has not disclosed financial terms, people close to the process said earlier discussions at times valued Manus well above its most recent funding round, with some estimates reaching into the billion-dollar range.
By bringing Manus in-house, Meta gains a team already experienced in deploying autonomous systems at scale, as well as technology that could be embedded across its consumer and enterprise offerings. The deal highlights how quickly the market for AI agents is consolidating as large platforms move to secure talent, products and intellectual property before rivals do.
