The co-founders of Manus are exploring options to fulfill Beijing’s demand to unwind a controversial takeover by Meta Platforms Inc., including raising about $1 billion from external investors to buy back the Chinese-founded AI operation. Manus’s three founders — Xiao Hong, Ji Yichao and Zhang Tao — are in discussions about a round of funding at a valuation that would at least match the $2 billion Meta paid to acquire the agentic AI outfit, according to people familiar with the matter. The founders may chip in with their own money to finance the rest of the transaction, the people said. If they go ahead, the next step would entail setting Manus up as a Chinese joint venture with those backers, ahead of a Hong Kong initial public offering, one of the people said, requesting not to be named discussing private deliberations.

Full report : Manus’ co-founders are in talks to raise $1 billion to buy back the Chinese-founded startup, after Beijing ordered Meta to unwind its $2 billion Manus acquisition.