Tencent is reportedly in advanced discussions to acquire a majority stake in AI agent startup Manus, valuing the company at approximately $2 billion, according to The Decoder. This move follows Beijing's decision to block Meta's planned acquisition of Manus, signaling regulatory hurdles for foreign tech investments in China.
The Decoder also noted that U.S. venture capital firm Benchmark is unlikely to participate in the deal. Tencent’s interest in Manus aligns with its broader AI ambitions, potentially integrating advanced AI capabilities into its ecosystem, including WeChat.
For Japanese investors, this development highlights the growing importance of domestic and regional AI ventures amid increasing geopolitical scrutiny over cross-border technology deals.