Chinese AI lab Manus has raised over $500 million in its first funding round since splitting with Meta, following a $2 billion acquisition deal that was abruptly cancelled by Chinese authorities. The funding round was led by Boyu Capital and IDG Capital, with existing shareholders such as Tencent and Sequoia China also participating. The AI company plans to continue hiring both domestically and internationally, and is reportedly considering a public listing in Hong Kong.

Manus, which gained notoriety for its AI agent demo, relocated its staff to Singapore in mid-2025 before the Meta deal was announced. Despite not disclosing its valuation, the company was previously in talks for a $500 million raise at a $4 billion valuation. It is known for developing AI products and agents, including a chatbot and tools for building apps and websites. Recently, Manus launched Manus 2.0, which features a new architecture and Cue, a standalone app for personal AI agents.

The deal with Meta was part of a broader strategy by Chinese authorities to prevent the loss of AI talent and researchers to the West. Manus resumed independent operations in April after the Meta deal was unwound, and is required to delete certain user data as part of the split.

With the global AI landscape shifting, Manus' next move could set new standards in the industry. The race for talent and technological leadership continues, and Manus is now vying for a spot in the international AI elite.