Meta Platforms Inc. is making a strategic push into the autonomous AI agent space through its acquisition of Manus, a Singapore-based startup that gained widespread attention earlier this year for its ability to perform web-based tasks without human supervision.
Manus rose to prominence in March, just weeks after DeepSeek Ltd. of China stunned the tech world with its cost-effective alternative to OpenAI's ChatGPT. As one of the first AI agents widely available to the general public via subscription, it quickly captured social media buzz for its capability to handle complex assignments such as resume creation, software development, and full website design and deployment.
The platform also demonstrated advanced research capabilities. A video shared on X showed a user asking Manus to find a suitable two-bedroom apartment in their preferred location. In response, Manus immediately compiled a comprehensive list of available properties and analyzed local crime statistics and commute times.
Manus was among the first wave of AI agents to sweep through the enterprise sector this year—an area now seeing widespread adoption as companies race to deliver on the promise of AI-driven automation. Coding assistants like CodeGPT, GitHub Copilot, Replit, and Jules have already transformed software development workflows, while enterprise giants such as Salesforce Inc. and ServiceNow Inc. have launched suites of AI agents aimed at automating operations across multiple industries.
Positioned as a general-purpose agent, Manus has continued to grow since its initial surge, despite fading headlines. According to Meta’s brief acquisition announcement, the company processed over 147 trillion tokens in 2025, created more than 80 million virtual machines, and served "millions of users and businesses" globally. Reports indicate it raised $75 million in April, building on early traction.
Originally headquartered in China, the startup relocated to Singapore during the summer and achieved $100 million in annual recurring revenue just eight months after launch—making it the first startup worldwide to reach this milestone in such a short timeframe. The majority of its revenue comes from paid subscribers.
Meta stated that Manus will continue operating as an independent product for now, with plans to gradually integrate its technology into Meta’s broader ecosystem, including the Meta AI platform. This integration is expected to extend Manus’ reach to billions of users worldwide.
"Joining Meta allows us to build a stronger, more sustainable foundation without altering how Manus operates or makes decisions," said Xiao Hong, CEO of Manus.
The acquisition signals Meta’s intensified focus on monetizing its multi-billion-dollar investments in AI infrastructure. Artificial intelligence has become the top priority for Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, surpassing his earlier ambitions around the metaverse. However, the social media giant has faced recent challenges, with its large language model Llama trailing behind competitors like OpenAI’s GPT-5 and Google LLC’s Gemini 3.
To accelerate progress, Zuckerberg established the Meta Superintelligence Lab—a dedicated AI research division focused on developing next-generation models and intelligent agents. The unit is led by Alexandr Wang, founder of data labeling startup Scale AI Inc., whom Meta effectively acquired earlier this year through a $14 billion deal for a 49% stake in Scale AI.
