Meta has joined a growing list of global technology giants accelerating mergers and acquisitions in artificial intelligence, acquiring Singapore-based AI startup Manus in a deal that underscores Big Tech’s long-term bet on autonomous systems.
The company did not officially disclose the purchase price, but reports suggest the transaction exceeded $2 billion, making it one of Meta’s most significant AI investments to date.
Why Meta Bought Manus
Manus has developed autonomous, general-purpose AI agents designed to complete complex tasks with minimal human input. The technology has drawn attention across Silicon Valley as companies race to move beyond chatbots toward fully agent-driven AI tools.
According to data platform Crunchbase, Manus last raised funding at a valuation of around $500 million earlier this year, highlighting the sharp premium Meta was willing to pay to secure the technology.
Meta confirmed that Manus will continue operating as a service while also being integrated into its broader product ecosystem.
Analysts Compare Deal to WhatsApp and Instagram
Market analysts see the acquisition as potentially transformative.
Barton Crockett of Rosenblatt Securities said the deal could rival Meta’s earlier landmark purchases of Instagram in 2012 and WhatsApp in 2014, both of which reshaped the company’s growth trajectory.
He pointed to strong synergies with Meta’s fast-growing WhatsApp business tools for small and medium-sized companies, along with alignment to CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s vision of personal, agent-driven AI.
Part of a Wider AI Dealmaking Wave
Meta’s move comes amid a late-year surge in AI-focused transactions across the tech sector.
SoftBank recently backed a deal involving data-centre investment firm DigitalBridge, while Nvidia announced a licensing agreement with Groq to expand AI inference capabilities.
Together, these deals reflect a strategic shift as major players seek to control not just AI models, but the infrastructure and agents that power them.
Strong Investor Reaction
Investors responded positively to Meta’s acquisition strategy. Shares of Meta rose following the announcement, extending gains that have lifted the stock by roughly 14% over the past year.
Market participants view AI acquisitions as central to Meta’s effort to diversify revenue streams and compete with rivals across consumer, enterprise, and creator-focused AI platforms.
What This Means for M&A Markets
The Manus acquisition highlights a broader trend shaping global M&A markets: Big Tech is increasingly willing to pay premium prices for companies that offer scalable AI advantages.
As competition intensifies, analysts expect more high-value deals targeting autonomous agents, AI infrastructure, and specialised data platforms in 2026.
For dealmakers, Meta’s move signals that the race for AI dominance is entering a new phase one defined less by experimentation and more by consolidation.