Tencent is in talks to become the largest shareholder of AI startup Manus after Beijing ordered Meta to unwind its $2 billion acquisition of the company, according to two people with knowledge of the matter 13.
The Financial Times first reported Tencent's talks on July 10, 2026 13. Reuters subsequently confirmed the discussions, citing its own sources 1.
Tencent, together with Manus' original investors including ZhenFund and HSG, are planning to buy the company back from Meta for no less than $2 billion, according to one of the sources and a third person briefed on the matter 13. Tencent, Manus, Meta, and the two investment firms did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment 13.
The planned buyback follows Beijing's order for Meta to unwind its $2 billion acquisition of Manus, the sources said 13. The Business Times identified Manus as a Singapore-based AI startup 3.
The deal structure positions Tencent — one of China's largest gaming and internet companies — as the lead buyer in a consortium that includes Manus' earlier backers 13. ZhenFund and HSG were among Manus' original investors participating in the planned repurchase 13.
The floor price of no less than $2 billion matches the amount Meta originally paid to acquire Manus 13. By our read, the consortium's willingness to meet that threshold suggests the parties view Manus' value as having at minimum held steady since Meta's acquisition, though the sources did not comment on valuation rationale.
The transaction, if completed, would shift control of Manus from a U.S. technology company to a Chinese-led investor group. This positions Tencent to deepen its AI portfolio through a startup that had attracted significant acquisition interest from Meta at the $2 billion level 13.
No timeline for the completion of talks has been disclosed. All named parties — Tencent, Manus, Meta, ZhenFund, and HSG — have yet to comment publicly on the discussions 13.