Who is the CEO of Manus? | The Full Story Explained

Manus CEO identity

The Chief Executive Officer of Manus is Xiao Hong, often referred to in industry circles as Red Xiao Hong. As the primary leader of the company, Xiao Hong has been instrumental in transitioning the firm from a specialized startup into a globally recognized name in the field of general AI agents. Under his leadership, the company successfully navigated a complex relocation from Beijing to Singapore and managed a high-profile acquisition by Meta Platforms in late 2025.

Xiao Hong’s role extends beyond traditional corporate management. He has been a vocal advocate for the development of "action engines"—AI systems that do not merely provide text-based answers but actually execute tasks across various digital environments. This vision helped Manus secure significant early-stage funding from major venture capital firms like Benchmark and Tencent before the company was eventually absorbed into the Meta ecosystem.

Founding team members

While Xiao Hong serves as the CEO, the company was co-founded by a small group of highly specialized technical experts. Key among them is Ji Yichao, also known as Yichao Peak Ji, who serves as the Chief Scientist. The partnership between Xiao Hong’s strategic leadership and Ji Yichao’s technical oversight allowed Manus to develop its proprietary browser operator and autonomous research capabilities, which became the core value proposition during the Meta acquisition.

Meta acquisition details

In December 2025, Meta Platforms announced the acquisition of Manus for a reported $2 billion. This move was part of Meta's broader strategy to integrate advanced AI agents into its suite of business tools and social platforms. The deal marked a significant milestone in the AI sector, as it involved a company that had actively restructured itself to operate outside of its original domestic market in China.

Following the acquisition, Manus has been integrated into Meta’s global operations. The goal of this merger is to bring "Hands On AI" to businesses worldwide, allowing users to automate complex workflows, conduct deep research, and manage data analysis through a unified interface. As of early 2026, the Manus brand continues to operate under the Meta umbrella, maintaining its focus on extending human reach through intelligent automation.

Strategic relocation efforts

Before the sale to Meta was finalized, the leadership team led by Xiao Hong made the strategic decision to move the company’s headquarters and core staff from Beijing to Singapore. This relocation was accompanied by a restructuring of ownership designed to distance the firm from its original Chinese investor base. This was a critical step in ensuring the $2 billion deal could proceed without being blocked by international regulatory hurdles regarding data privacy and intellectual property transfer.

Current regulatory challenges

Despite the successful acquisition by Meta, the leadership of Manus has faced significant scrutiny from authorities in Beijing. In March 2026, reports emerged that the Chinese government, specifically the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), had summoned CEO Xiao Hong and Chief Scientist Ji Yichao for questioning. The focus of these sessions was the review of the $2 billion deal and the transfer of sensitive AI technology to a foreign entity.

As of April 2026, both Xiao Hong and Ji Yichao have been barred from leaving China while the investigation continues. This situation highlights the growing tension between global tech acquisitions and national interests regarding "homegrown" AI talent. The Chinese government has expressed concerns over what it calls "selling young crops"—the practice of domestic startups moving abroad and selling their intellectual property to foreign buyers before the technology has fully matured within the local ecosystem.

Manus AI capabilities

Manus distinguishes itself from standard chatbots by functioning as an "action engine." While many AI models are designed for conversation, Manus is built to interact with software, navigate browsers, and complete multi-step tasks autonomously. This capability is what attracted Meta’s interest and led to the high valuation of the company during its Series B funding and subsequent sale.

Core product features

• Browser Operator: An autonomous tool that can navigate the web to find information or perform actions on behalf of the user.
• AI Design and Slides: Tools that automate the creation of visual presentations and design layouts.
• Wide Research: A deep-dive research capability that synthesizes data from multiple sources into comprehensive reports.
• Workflow Automation: Integration with platforms like Slack and various mail clients to handle routine administrative tasks.

Company financial history

Before its acquisition, Manus was a highly successful startup in terms of capital raising. The company raised approximately $85 million in total funding. Its most recent private round was a Series B in April 2025, which valued the company at roughly $500 million before the Meta deal quadrupled that valuation just months later. Investors in the company included Benchmark, Zhen Fund, and Tencent, though Meta pledged to cut ties with Chinese investors as part of the final acquisition agreement.

Milestone	Date	Details
Company Founded	2022	Founded in China by Xiao Hong and Ji Yichao.
Series B Funding	April 2025	Raised $75M at a $500M valuation.
Meta Acquisition	December 2025	Acquired for $2 billion by Meta Platforms.
Regulatory Review	March 2026	Executives summoned to Beijing for questioning.

Industry impact analysis

The story of Manus and its CEO Xiao Hong represents a broader trend in the 2026 AI landscape. As the demand for autonomous agents grows, the competition for talent and intellectual property has become a matter of geopolitical significance. The integration of Manus into Meta's ecosystem is expected to accelerate the adoption of AI agents in the enterprise sector, providing businesses with tools that can handle everything from data analysis to complex scheduling.

For those interested in the financial side of the tech and crypto world, tracking these acquisitions is vital. While Manus is not a cryptocurrency project, the underlying technology often intersects with decentralized data and automated trading environments. For example, users looking to trade assets related to the broader tech ecosystem can utilize platforms like WEEX to manage their portfolios. If you are interested in the primary market drivers, you might monitor BTC-USDT spot prices to gauge overall market sentiment during major tech acquisition announcements.

Future of AI agents

The future of Manus under Meta’s ownership remains focused on the "less structure, more intelligence" philosophy. By removing the friction between a user's intent and the digital execution of that intent, Manus aims to redefine how humans interact with computers. However, the ongoing exit ban on its CEO and Chief Scientist serves as a reminder of the regulatory risks inherent in the global AI race. The industry is watching closely to see how Meta manages these diplomatic and legal challenges while attempting to roll out Manus technology to its billions of users.