Chinese startup Manus AI has secured $75 million in fresh funding. The round, led by Benchmark, a leading venture capital firm, has brought the company’s valuation to approximately $500 million.
Manus AI focuses on building general-purpose AI agents to perform a wide range of digital tasks.
Thanks to this new funding, Manus can expand internationally to target regions like the United States, Japan, and the Middle East.
What Manus AI Offers
Manus is developing AI agents that complete everyday digital tasks like scheduling meetings and organizing emails.
In March, the company launched a demo of its AI assistant; however, some users found it inconsistent, but others saw potential.
Soon after, Manus introduced paid plans that start at $39 per month.
The top-tier plan costs $199 monthly. These subscriptions are designed for users who need advanced AI abilities.
A Valuation Jump
Before this funding round, Manus had raised just over $10 million, and its previous investors included Tencent and HSG (formerly Sequoia China).
The new round, however, multiplies the company’s value by five.
Who’s Behind the Investment
Benchmark, well-known for backing companies like Uber and Twitter, led the latest round. There’s also Tencent, one of China’s largest tech firms, and HSG, a stakeholder.
This mix of Chinese and global investors adds strength and reach to Manus’s next phase of growth.
Challenges Still Remain
Manus’s demo showed promise, but it was not perfect. Early reviews noted bugs and slow responses. For Manus to effectively compete on a global scale, reliability must improve.
