Manus eyes US$4 billion value in first round since Meta breakup
Chinese AI startup Manus is raising US$500 million, targeting a US$4 billion valuation. This financing round follows Beijing's order for Manus to split from Meta Platforms. The deal would make Manus China's most valuable agentic AI startup. Existing backers include Tencent Holdings, HSG, and ZhenFund.
Manus' US$4 billion valuation doubles its previous US$2 billion. This shows investor confidence in AI agents, despite rapid improvements in underlying foundation models. The company’s ability to attract significant capital after a forced divestiture from Meta is notable.
The deal solidifies Manus' position in China's AI agent market. It positions Manus ahead of rivals like Evoken, which is raising funds at a US$3 billion valuation. The successful fundraising reflects a growing belief that Manus has moved past the geopolitical challenges of its Meta breakup.
The thing to watch is Manus' path to a public listing in Hong Kong. This could mirror AI model labs like Moonshot. The challenge for Manus remains competing with broader foundation models that handle general desktop tasks effectively.
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