TL;DR
Meta has agreed to buy Chinese-founded AI company Manus and plans to deploy its so-called 'general agent' technology across Meta products. Manus, launched in March 2025, positions its agents as capable of multi-step, context-aware action (for example, opening archives and evaluating job applications) rather than just generating text.
What happened
Meta announced it will acquire Manus, an AI company launched in March 2025 by Butterfly Effect. Manus promotes a 'general agent' approach that it says goes beyond standard generative chatbots by performing research and multi-step reasoning to produce actionable outputs in the formats users need. The company describes an example where its system opens a .ZIP archive of job applications, reads the contents, evaluates candidates against user criteria and returns a ranked document. Manus runs these workflows in a cloud-hosted virtual machine it calls a 'computer,' and says that machine functions as a multi-agent system powered by several distinct models. The seller operates entities in Hong Kong and recently shifted its headquarters to Singapore. Meta said Manus staff will join its teams; the purchase price was not disclosed. Meta has been expanding its AI acquisitions in 2025 and has committed substantial capital spending to support its AI ambitions.
Why it matters
- Manus' agent-style capabilities signal a push from conversational AI toward systems designed to take multi-step actions and deliver formatted results.
- Acquiring a company with claimed millions of users could accelerate Meta's plans to bake advanced AI features into its portfolio and potential paid AI offerings.
- The deal reinforces Meta's broader 2025 strategy of heavy investment in AI infrastructure and talent to support large-scale AI workloads.
- Bringing Manus staff into Meta may speed product integration, but the terms and full operational impact were not disclosed.
Key facts
- Meta will acquire Manus, an AI startup launched in March 2025.
- Manus was created by Butterfly Effect and operates an entity in Hong Kong; it recently moved its headquarters to Singapore.
- Manus claims to have $100 million in annual recurring revenue eight months after launch.
- The company advertises 'general agents' that can perform context-aware research and produce actionable outputs, not just text responses.
- Manus runs workflows in a cloud-hosted virtual machine described as a multi-agent system powered by multiple models.
- Meta said Manus serves the daily needs of millions of users and businesses; the Manus team will join Meta.
- The monetary value of the acquisition was not disclosed.
- This is Meta's fifth AI-related acquisition in 2025, following PlayAI, WaveForms, Rivos and Limitless.
What to watch next
- How quickly Meta integrates Manus' general-agent capabilities into existing products and whether those features appear in any subscription AI offerings.
- Whether Manus' user base and claimed revenue are sustained post-acquisition as the team transitions into Meta.
- not confirmed in the source: whether the Manus product will continue operating unchanged or be rebranded within Meta's services.
Quick glossary
- Generative AI: A class of models that produce new content such as text, images or code based on learned patterns from data.
- Multi-agent system: A computing architecture where multiple autonomous components (agents) interact and coordinate to solve tasks.
- Virtual machine (VM): A software-emulated computer environment that runs programs like a separate physical machine, often hosted in the cloud.
- Annual recurring revenue (ARR): A metric indicating the predictable yearly revenue a subscription-based company expects to receive.
- Superintelligence: A term used to describe an AI system that substantially surpasses human cognitive abilities across a wide range of tasks.
Reader FAQ
How much did Meta pay for Manus?
The acquisition price was not disclosed in the source.
Will Manus' technology be used across Meta products?
Meta said it intends to harness Manus' 'general agent' technology across its products.
Where is Manus based?
Manus was created by Butterfly Effect, operates a Hong Kong entity and has recently moved its headquarters to Singapore.
Does Manus already have users?
The company and Meta said Manus serves millions of users and businesses; specific user metrics beyond that claim are not provided in the source.
Will there be changes to Manus' leadership or product decisions after the acquisition?
not confirmed in the source
AI + ML Zuck buys Chinese AI company Manus that claims it deals in actions, not words ‘General agents’ to infuse Meta’s products real soon now Simon Sharwood Tue 30 Dec 2025 //…
Sources
- Zuck buys Chinese AI company Manus that claims it deals in actions, not words
- Meta to acquire Chinese startup Manus to boost advanced …
- Meta to Acquire Startup Manus, Adding Agents to Bolster AI …
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