Meta Acquires Singapore-Based Manus AI for Autonomous Agent Technology

Meta Acquires Singapore-Based Manus AI for Autonomous Agent Technology

Meta Platforms announced on December 29, 2025, the acquisition of Manus, a Singapore-headquartered AI startup specializing in general-purpose autonomous agents. The deal, valued at approximately $2-4 billion according to reports, integrates Manus's technology for executing complex multi-step tasks (e.g., research, coding, data analysis) into Meta's ecosystem while allowing Manus to operate independently from Singapore. Manus has processed over 147 trillion tokens and powered more than 80 million virtual computers since launch, achieving $100-125 million in annual recurring revenue within months.

Significance

This acquisition accelerates Meta's push into agentic AI, enhancing Meta AI across consumer and business products amid competition in autonomous systems. It validates application-layer innovation over proprietary models, as Manus relies on third-party LLMs (e.g., Claude, Qwen).

People Behind Manus AI and Their Backgrounds

• Xiao Hong (Founder/CEO): Chinese entrepreneur born 1992; Huazhong University of Science and Technology graduate (2015); serial founder with early ventures in productivity tools (e.g., Nightingale Technology's enterprise assistants); emphasized global market focus and "kitbashing" (integrating existing tech).
• Yichao "Peak" Ji (Co-founder/Chief Scientist): Key technical leader; expertise in AI orchestration and autonomous systems.

History of Manus AI

Manus originated from Monica (parent company Butterfly Effect Pte. Ltd.), a Wuhan/Singapore-based firm developing AI tools since ~2022. Monica started as a ChatGPT wrapper/browser plugin, evolving into enterprise-focused agents. Manus launched March 5, 2025, as the "world's first general-purpose AI agent," gaining viral attention for autonomous task execution. Rapid growth followed: invite-only beta, $75-85 million funding (including Benchmark), relocation emphasis to Singapore for global access, and $100 million ARR by late 2025.

Integration with Meta AI Divisions

Manus technology will integrate into Meta AI for broader deployment across platforms (e.g., WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram), targeting billions of users and millions of businesses. The team joins Meta's AI efforts, likely aligning with Meta Superintelligence Labs (led by Alexandr Wang) for advanced agent development. Manus maintains standalone operations, subscriptions, and Singapore base.

Technology Overview

Manus operates as a multi-agent system using third-party foundation models (e.g., Claude, Qwen) rather than proprietary LLMs. Key features include browser control, virtual computers (cloud-hosted VMs for persistent execution), parallel sub-agents (e.g., Wide Research with up to 100 agents), tool integration (29+ third-party tools), and full-stack development capabilities (generating production-ready code with backends, databases, authentication). Architecture emphasizes "less structure, more intelligence"—relying on advanced prompting, context engineering, and error recovery for reliability. It processes tasks in isolated environments, supporting long-running operations (147 trillion tokens processed, 80 million virtual computers created by late 2025).

Business Model

Manus follows a freemium subscription model with tiered plans: free/limited access, Plus/Pro at $19–$199/month (usage-based scaling), focused on B2C and B2B (professionals/businesses). Revenue derives primarily from paid subscriptions, with emphasis on enterprise tools for productivity (e.g., resume screening, stock analysis, app building). Post-Meta acquisition (December 2025), it continues as a standalone service while integrating into Meta products.

Revenue and Profitability

Manus achieved rapid growth: $90 million annualized run rate (ARR) by August 2025 (five months post-launch), exceeding $100 million ARR by mid-December, with total revenue run rate over $125 million (including usage-based). It claimed the fastest startup to $100 million ARR globally, driven by millions of users and viral adoption. Profitability details remain undisclosed; parent company Monica/Butterfly Effect reportedly reached profitability pre-Manus, but Manus focused on growth amid heavy R&D (105 employees by late 2025). Acquisition by Meta (valued $2–4 billion) reflects strong revenue traction despite likely ongoing investments.

References

1. Manus Official Blog Announcement – https://manus.im/blog/manus-joins-meta-for-next-era-of-innovation
2. SiliconANGLE: "Meta Platforms buys Manus to bolster its agentic AI skillset" – https://siliconangle.com/2025/12/29/meta-platforms-buys-manus-bolster-agentic-ai-skillset/
3. Sacra: "Manus at $90M/year" – https://sacra.com/research/manus-at-90m-year/
4. Manus Blog: "Manus Update: $100M ARR" – https://manus.im/blog/manus-100m-arr
5. CNBC: "Meta acquires intelligent agent firm Manus" – https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/30/meta-acquires-singapore-ai-agent-firm-manus-china-butterfly-effect-monicai.html