Manus seeks $4 billion valuation in first funding round since Meta split

Discussions on the financing remain at an early stage, and the terms could still change, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The identities of prospective new investors were not immediately clear.

The planned transaction could double Manus’ valuation and make it China’s most valuable AI-agent startup, according to the people. It would also be the company’s first financing since Beijing forced Manus and Meta to unwind their deal.

Key details

• The financing could double Manus’ valuation.
• Talks are preliminary, and terms may change.
• Prospective new investors have not been identified.
• Existing backers include Tencent Holdings, HSG and ZhenFund.

Meta deal ended after regulatory intervention

Meta had agreed to acquire Manus after the startup surpassed $100 million in annualized revenue. Chinese regulators blocked the transaction over concerns about technology moving to a geopolitical rival.

Manus and Meta completed their operational separation in May and halted data sharing, Bloomberg reported. The split cleared the way for Manus to resume operating independently after the proposed acquisition was unwound.

Earlier this month, Manus said it had resumed independent operations. Its founding team continues to lead the company and develop generative AI agents for users globally.

Existing backers and AI-agent competition

Bloomberg identified Tencent, HSG and ZhenFund as existing Manus investors. Representatives for Manus and the three backers did not respond to requests for comment.

A $4 billion valuation could strengthen Manus’ position among China’s AI-agent developers and potentially put the startup on a path toward a Hong Kong listing, Bloomberg said. The potential financing comes as other developers also seek capital at multibillion-dollar valuations.

Rival Evoken, which develops the AI design agent Lovart, is raising funds at a reported $3 billion valuation.