Bloomberg reported that Manus AI, a general-purpose AI agent developed by Chinese startup Butterfly Effect, has secured $75 million in funding. This equates to approximately 547 million Chinese yuan. The round was led by Benchmark, a prominent US venture capital firm, with participation from existing investors. This funding round catapulted Butterfly Effect's valuation to nearly $500 million, a fourfold increase, demonstrating strong market recognition of its product.
Image Source Note: Image generated by AI, licensed through Midjourney.
Butterfly Effect plans to use the funds to accelerate its global expansion, particularly in markets such as the US, Japan, and the Middle East. Since the launch of the Manus AI project in March this year, its capabilities have quickly garnered market attention. The Manus AI agent efficiently handles diverse tasks, including resume screening, travel planning, and stock analysis, outperforming OpenAI's recently released Deep Research tool in several key performance metrics.
To further expand its reach, Butterfly Effect has also introduced a subscription service offering various packages, starting at $39 per month (approximately 284 Chinese yuan). This makes its advanced AI technology accessible to a wider audience at a reasonable price. Previously, Butterfly Effect had already secured over $100 million in funding from investors including Tencent, ZhenFund, and HSG, laying a solid foundation for the company's growth.
This funding round not only provides financial support for Butterfly Effect's development but also strengthens its competitiveness in the global AI market. The success of Manus AI showcases China's rapid rise and innovation in the field of artificial intelligence.
Key Highlights:
🌟 Butterfly Effect secures $75 million in funding, boosting its valuation to nearly $500 million.
🌍 Butterfly Effect plans to accelerate global expansion, focusing on the US, Japan, and the Middle East.
📈 Manus AI agent offers diverse task processing capabilities and a $39 subscription service.
