Manus is planning its first funding round since Beijing forced Meta to unwind its $2 billion acquisi...

Manus is planning its first funding round since Beijing forced Meta to unwind its $2 billion acquisition, with a new round that could double its valuation to approximately $4 billion, according to Bloomberg. The planned $500 million raise would make Manus the most valuable AI agent company in mainland China, surpassing its prior valuation and positioning it for a potential Hong Kong listing, similar to other Chinese AI model labs like Moonshot AI (月之暗面). Existing investors include Tencent, Sequoia Capital China, and ZhenFund, though the identities of new investors have not been disclosed and terms could still change.

This funding round marks a significant reset for Manus after the Meta acquisition collapse, which was ordered by Beijing on national security grounds. The company resumed independent operations in August 2026, seven months after the unwind, with Tencent becoming its top shareholder. The new valuation signals renewed investor confidence in Manus’s agentic AI technology and its strategic importance within China’s sovereign AI landscape. The raise, if completed, would not only solidify Manus’s leadership in the domestic AI agent market but also potentially set a benchmark for valuations in the sector.

For investors and builders, this round underscores the continued capital intensity and strategic value of AI agent companies in China, particularly those with sovereign backing. The potential Hong Kong listing would provide a public-market exit for early backers and could attract international capital despite geopolitical tensions. For enterprise buyers, Manus’s strengthened financial position may accelerate development of its agentic AI products, making it a more competitive player in the global AI agent market. As per the AI Market Watch index, Manus is tracked with $85 million in total funding, though the new round would dramatically increase that figure.