Chinese AI Startup Manus Seeks $500M at $4B Valuation After Blocked Meta Deal
Manus is reportedly in discussions to secure a $500 million fundraising round following the collapse of its planned merger with Meta. The Chinese artificial intelligence startup is now pursuing independent operations while targeting a $4 billion valuation.
Chinese artificial intelligence startup Manus has resumed independent operations and is currently engaged in discussions to raise $500 million. According to the latest market developments on September 18, 2026, the ongoing fundraising efforts are targeting a substantial valuation of $4 billion for the enterprise.
This strategic shift toward independent operations and fresh capital follows a tumultuous period involving major international technology players. Previously, Manus had planned a high-profile merger with Meta, a corporate consolidation that ultimately faced regulatory hurdles when it was blocked by authorities in Beijing.
The sequence of events leading up to the current independent fundraising campaign began unfolding in the middle of 2025. During that period, Manus made the decision to relocate its staff operations to Singapore as part of its broader corporate restructuring and international positioning strategy.
Following the staff relocation to Singapore, the company announced a major $2 billion acquisition deal with Meta in December 2025. However, due to the regulatory intervention by Beijing that blocked the merger, the acquisition failed to materialize, paving the way for the startup to chart a new path forward.
With the merger officially halted, Manus has now reversed course back toward standalone operations. The current financial discussions regarding a $500 million capital injection reflect the company's renewed efforts to scale its business independently within the highly competitive global artificial intelligence landscape at the targeted $4 billion valuation.
