Meta to buy S'pore-based Al start-up Manus, said to be for over $2.56b

Tech giant adds popular AI agent as it continues aggressive spending in Al race

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Meta Platforms has agreed to acquire Singapore-based artificial intelligence (AI) startup Manus, adding a popular AI agent as the tech giant works to build a business around its massive AI investment.

Meta is closing the deal with Manus at more than US$2 billion (S$2.56 billion), The Wall Street Journal said, citing people familiar with the matter. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Tech giants such as Meta have been stepping up AI investments through acquisitions and talent hires to stay competitive.

Earlier in 2025, the Facebook owner invested in Scale AI in a deal valuing the data-labelling firm at US$29 billion and bringing its 28-year-old chief executive, Mr Alexandr Wang, into Meta's orbit.

Manus is among a wave of Chinese tech firms that have set up in Singapore to avoid potential disruption from US-China tensions.