Manus Aims for $4B Valuation in New Fundraising Round as It Resumes Independent Operations
Chinese AI startup Manus is seeking to raise $500 million at a $4 billion valuation after resuming independent operations, according to The Wall Street Journal. Potential investors include IDG Capital, Boyu Capital, CATL, and existing backers like Tencent. The company had previously attempted an acquisition by Meta but the deal was blocked due to concerns over AI talent migration from China. Manus is now preparing for a potential IPO in Hong Kong following its separation from Meta. Manus went viral after showcasing its AI agent last year and moved operations to Singapore before announcing the failed $2 billion merger with Meta in December 2024. The deal was blocked by Beijing over export control concerns, prompting Manus to untangle itself from Meta’s ownership structure. In August, it informed users they had to back up their data due to regulatory compliance requirements. The company offers AI tools for app development, design creation, video generation, and browser assistance—similar to offerings from OpenAI and Replit.
Topics: AI Fundraising