Manus resumes solo operations after collapse of US$2 billion Meta deal

Manus, a Chinese-founded AI start-up, announced on Tuesday that it has officially resumed operating independently, more than four months after Beijing halted a $2 billion acquisition by Meta Platforms. The company's founding team will continue to lead Manus as an "independent agent lab", the firm stated on its website. The announcement came three weeks after Manus informed users that it was deleting data generated on or after December 29, the date of the acquisition, to comply with regulatory requirements.

Manus provided users with a restoration portal to recover their data. The resumption marks the start of a new chapter for the company, following the collapse of its deal with Meta. Launched in March 2025, Manus develops autonomous AI agents that can handle complex tasks such as web research and report writing. The company, originally based in mainland China, rebranded as a Singapore-based entity last year, shedding China-based staff and removing its digital presence in China.

This strategic move enabled Manus to circumvent US technology export and investment controls, facilitating its acquisition by Meta for $2 billion in December. However, the deal sparked controversy in Beijing, leading to a months-long investigation. In April, the National Development and Reform Commission ordered the parties involved to terminate the transaction.

Chinese tech giant Tencent was reportedly in talks to become Manus' largest shareholder, with other former investors also participating. Despite the setback, Manus vowed to continue advancing its technology, aiming to push the boundaries of what general AI agents can do and create products that help users tackle complex tasks and enhance their daily lives and work.