Chinese AI startup Manus is currently in talks to raise $500 million at a valuation of $4 billion, marking its return to independent operations after a disrupted merger with Meta earlier this year. The company had to unwind its $2 billion acquisition by Meta due to regulatory concerns in Beijing, which cited potential breaches of export controls and foreign investment laws. As Manus separates from Meta, early investors have supported a share buyback at an estimated $2 billion valuation, enabling Manus to operate autonomously once again.

Manus gained significant attention following a viral demonstration of its AI agent last year and had relocated its team to Singapore in mid-2025. At the time of its acquisition announcement by Meta in December 2025, Manus was generating more than $100 million in annual recurring revenue. As it now charts its own course, the company is exploring a restructuring plan aimed at preparing for a potential initial public offering in Hong Kong.

Investors interested in the new funding round reportedly include IDG Capital, Boyu Capital, and the battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology, alongside existing backers such as Tencent, HSG, and ZhenFund. These strategic partnerships reflect Manus's strong positioning within both the AI and Asian investment landscapes as it seeks to scale its offering.

Manus develops AI products and agents comparable to those from firms like OpenAI and Replit, including chatbot services and vibe-coding tools that help users create apps, websites, presentations, and videos. The startup has informed users to back up their data following the separation from Meta, due to data deletion measures required for compliance in various jurisdictions. The founding team remains at the helm, guiding the company's next phase amid a highly competitive AI market.