The Manus $4B valuation is at the center of a new fundraising push. The Chinese AI startup is in discussions to raise $500 million at a $4 billion valuation, according to anonymous sources cited in a report by The Wall Street Journal. The move comes as Manus resumes independent operations following a turbulent year that included a blocked acquisition and a separation from Meta.
The reported fundraise would mark a significant rebound for the company, which went viral in 2025 following a demo of its AI agent. Manus is also said to be considering a restructuring exercise to prepare for an IPO in Hong Kong.
Who’s Backing the Manus $4B Valuation Round
Potential investors in the new round include IDG Capital, Boyu Capital, and battery maker Contemporary Amperex Technology, the report stated. Existing backers Tencent, HSG, and Zhenfund are also said to be involved.
Manus did not immediately return a request for comment on the reported fundraise.
From Viral Demo to Blocked Meta Deal
Manus first gained widespread attention after a demo of its AI agent went viral last year. The startup relocated its staff to Singapore in mid-2025 before announcing a $2 billion acquisition deal with Meta that December. At the time, Manus was said to be pulling in annual recurring revenue of over $100 million.
However, intensifying worries in China over losing AI talent and researchers to the West culminated in Beijing blocking the deal. The government cited potential violations of export controls and foreign investment rules.
The blocked acquisition marked a turning point for Manus. What had been a path toward integration with a major American social media giant suddenly became a fight for independence. The company had to reassess its ownership structure, its operations, and its relationship with early investors.
Untangling from Meta
Manus has since been untangling itself from the American social media giant. Its early investors and backers reportedly helped the company buy back its shares at a valuation of about $2 billion.
As part of its separation from Meta, the company told users this August that they would have to export and back up their own data. Manus said it had to delete data generated following Meta’s acquisition to “comply with regulatory requirements in specific jurisdictions.”
This month, the company said it has resumed independent operations, and that its founding team will continue to lead it. The statement signaled a clean break from the acquisition saga and a renewed focus on building its core products.
What Manus Builds
Manus makes AI products and agents that are similar to what companies like OpenAI, Lovable, and Replit offer. It provides a chatbot and vibe-coding tools that let users build apps, websites, create designs and presentations, generate video, and use a browser assistant, among other features.
The startup’s product lineup positions it in a competitive space. AI agents and coding assistants have become some of the most hotly contested areas in the technology industry. Manus differentiates itself by offering a broad suite of tools under one platform, from conversational AI to design and video generation.
Why the Manus $4B Valuation Matters
If the reported $500 million raise at a $4 billion valuation comes to fruition, it would give Manus substantial resources to compete in the crowded AI agent market. The potential Hong Kong IPO and restructuring exercise suggest the company is preparing for a more permanent independent future.
The valuation also reflects continued investor appetite for AI startups with proven traction, even amid regulatory headwinds. Manus’s reported annual recurring revenue of over $100 million at the time of the Meta deal gave it a strong foundation to build on.
For now, the fundraise remains in discussions. Manus has not publicly confirmed the details, and the sources cited in the report remain anonymous. Whether the Manus $4B valuation materializes will depend on investor confidence, regulatory conditions, and the company’s ability to execute on its ambitious product roadmap.
