Chinese AI Startup Manus Raises $75M at $500M Valuation

Manus AI, a rising Chinese startup focused on developing tools for AI agents, has secured $75 million in fresh funding led by venture capital firm Benchmark. The deal values the company at approximately $500 million, according to a report from Bloomberg.

The new investment marks a major leap in valuation—quintupling its previous figure—and positions Manus to pursue expansion into key international markets including the United States, Japan, and the Middle East.

Earlier backers of Manus include tech giant Tencent and HSG, formerly known as Sequoia China. The startup had previously raised over $10 million.

Manus gained attention in March after releasing a demo of its general-purpose AI agent capable of completing a range of tasks. However, early testing by TechCrunch suggested the product didn’t quite meet expectations. Despite this, the company moved forward with launching paid subscription plans, priced between $39 and $199 per month.

What This Means

Manus AI’s surge in valuation reflects the accelerating demand for general-purpose AI agents—tools designed to handle a wide range of digital tasks autonomously. While still early in development, these agents are seen as a potential leap beyond traditional AI models, with applications spanning enterprise automation, virtual assistance, and software development.

The strong backing from Benchmark, alongside previous support from Tencent and HSG, signals growing investor belief in Asia-based innovators shaping the global AI race. As Manus prepares to enter highly competitive markets like the U.S. and Japan, success will depend on both technical progress and user trust in its still-maturing product.

The race to build truly capable, reliable AI agents is only just beginning—and the stakes are growing fast.

Editor’s Note: This article was created by Alicia Shapiro, CMO of AiNews.com, with writing, image, and idea-generation support from ChatGPT, an AI assistant. However, the final perspective and editorial choices are solely Alicia Shapiro’s. Special thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with research and editorial support in crafting this article.