Meta to sell AI startup Manus back to Chinese investors for $2 billion

Early Chinese backers of AI startup Manus—including HSG, ZhenFund and Tencent—are planning to repurchase the company from Meta at the same $2 billion price Meta paid in its December 2025 acquisition. The buyback follows a Chinese government order in April 2026 that mandated the unwinding of the deal on national‑security grounds, prompting Meta to split operations and cease data sharing with Manus in June.

Manus, which moved from China to Singapore, has seen its annualised revenue run‑rate climb to between $400 million and $500 million, up from $100 million at the time of the sale. Investors are exploring a $1 billion capital raise to finance the transaction and are considering restructuring the firm as a joint venture incorporated in China, with a potential initial public offering on the Hong Kong stock exchange.