Manus

AI Agents · China Tech Regulation

Milestone

Manus splits from Meta as investors buy it back at $2B valuation

Beijing's veto marks a rare reversal of a completed foreign takeover, tightening China's grip on cross-border AI deals.

• Manus said Tuesday it will soon resume operating as an independent company after China's National Development and Reform Commission ordered Meta to unwind its roughly $2 billion acquisition of the AI agent startup.
• Manus, originally built by Beijing-founded Butterfly Effect Technology before relocating to Singapore, makes general-purpose AI agents that can autonomously handle tasks like writing research reports or screening job candidates.
• Former investors including Tencent, ZhenFund and HSG bought Manus back from Meta at a $2 billion valuation, with Tencent replacing Benchmark as the startup's largest shareholder.
• Manus must delete data generated by certain users on or after Dec. 29, 2025 — the date Meta's acquisition was announced — giving users until Aug. 24 to back up their work.
• China's regulator blocked the deal in April over foreign-investment concerns, after reportedly restricting two Manus co-founders from leaving the country during the review.
• The reversal signals Beijing's crackdown on 'Singapore-washing' — Chinese firms relocating headquarters to attract foreign capital — as it reasserts control over homegrown AI talent amid intensifying US-China tech rivalry.