llustration of the acquisition of Manus by Meta. (Mobile App Daily)
On December 30, Meta has agreed to acquire Manus, a Singapore-based startup that builds AI agents capable of performing tasks like resume screening, trip planning, and stock analysis. The deal strengthens Meta’s strategy to turn massive AI investments into real business applications. Manus, which generated around US$125 million in annual revenue earlier this year, will continue operating while its technology is integrated into Meta’s platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The move comes as Meta ramps up spending to compete with Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI in the race to dominate AI-driven tools.
Business Implications
This acquisition helps Meta move faster from “AI research” to AI monetisation, especially for enterprise users. AI agents are seen as more practical than chatbots because they can execute tasks autonomously, making them attractive for businesses. For Southeast Asia, this signals stronger demand for AI talent, more enterprise AI adoption, and increased competition for regional startups building agent-based tools. It also reinforces Singapore’s role as a key AI and tech hub in Asia.
About The Author
