The separation marks a sharp reversal for the startup, which gained prominence after a viral agent demo and a move to Singapore in mid-2025. While Meta cuts ties, the Manus co-founders are reportedly exploring a $1 billion buyout plan to reclaim the company. This strategy could lead to a Chinese joint venture structure and a potential public listing in Hong Kong, mirroring the path taken by local AI firms like MiniMax and Zhipu.
In section Startups & Technology
Meta Begins Unwinding $2 Billion Manus Acquisition Under Beijing Pressure
Meta has initiated the formal dismantling of its $2 billion acquisition of AI startup Manus, severing internal system access and halting data exchanges. The move follows a mandatory divestiture order issued by Beijing two months ago, citing national security concerns and strict technology export controls over China-linked ventures.
Beijing’s intervention highlights a broader campaign to tighten control over strategically sensitive technology. Beyond the Manus divestiture, authorities have expanded travel restrictions for private sector executives and mandated government approval for AI firms, including Moonshot AI and ByteDance, before accepting American capital. Despite the corporate decoupling, Manus continues to operate, recently launching integrations with Shopify and Similarweb. Investors such as Benchmark have already exited, while Asian backers including Tencent and ZhenFund are coordinating with regulators to resolve the fallout.
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