Manus Seeks $500M at $4B Valuation After Blocked Meta Deal
Manus is discussing a $500 million raise at a $4 billion valuation after its blocked Meta sale, while weighing restructuring for a possible Hong Kong IPO.
Summary
Chinese AI startup Manus is discussing a $500 million fundraise at a $4 billion valuation after resuming independent operations. Potential participants include IDG Capital, Boyu Capital and battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology, plus existing backers Tencent, HSG and Zhenfund. Manus is also considering restructuring ahead of a possible Hong Kong IPO.
Manus went viral with an AI agent demo in 2025, relocated staff to Singapore in mid-2025 and announced a $2 billion Meta acquisition in December 2025, when annual recurring revenue reportedly exceeded $100 million. Beijing blocked the deal over potential breaches of export controls and foreign investment rules amid concern about AI talent moving West. Early investors and backers subsequently helped Manus repurchase shares at about a $2 billion valuation. In August 2026, users were told to export and back up their data before post-acquisition data was deleted for regulatory compliance. Manus resumed independent operations under its founding team in September 2026. Its products include a chatbot, vibe-coding tools for apps and websites, design, presentation and video generators, and a browser assistant, overlapping with OpenAI, Lovable and Replit. Manus did not comment on the financing discussions.
Positives
- $500 million at a $4 billion valuation would provide substantial capital for Manus after its separation from Meta.
- More than $100 million in annual recurring revenue was attributed to Manus when the Meta acquisition was announced in December 2025.
- IDG Capital, Boyu Capital and Contemporary Amperex Technology could join existing backers Tencent, HSG and Zhenfund in the round.
- September 2026 brought restored independent operations under Manus’s founding team.
- A possible Hong Kong IPO restructuring offers Manus another route to public-market funding.
Risks & concerns
- Beijing blocked the $2 billion Meta acquisition over potential export-control and foreign-investment violations.
- August 2026 forced users to export and back up their information before Manus deleted post-acquisition data for regulatory compliance.
- The $2 billion Meta deal’s collapse required Manus and its backers to unwind ties and repurchase shares at about a $2 billion valuation.
- Manus did not comment, leaving the $500 million financing and possible Hong Kong IPO restructuring unconfirmed.
- Mid-2025 staff relocation to Singapore preceded Beijing’s intervention amid concern about losing Chinese AI talent and researchers to the West.