Meta's Manus AI agents launch on Telegram
Manus, the AI agent startup acquired by Meta, has rolled out its full-stack AI agents on Telegram instead of Meta's native WhatsApp platform. The integration allows users to onboard agents via a QR code or link for multi-step workflow automation directly within the chat interface. The move to Telegram is seen as a strategic choice to test agentic experiences on a platform with greater API openness and global reach.
- Meta's acquisition of Manus for over $2 billion is one of its largest, surpassed only by WhatsApp and a $14.3 billion investment in data-annotation specialist Scale AI. The deal, which took only 10-14 days to negotiate, is currently under review by Chinese authorities. - Manus was founded by Chinese entrepreneur Xiao Hong, who previously created the popular AI productivity browser extension, Monica, which reached around 10 million users. The Singapore-headquartered startup reached an annual revenue rate of over $125 million just eight months after its official launch in March 2025. - The decision to launch on Telegram is driven by its developer-friendly, free, and flexible Bot API, which contrasts with WhatsApp's more restrictive, paid, and compliance-heavy Business API. Manus has stated that agents will be available "very soon" on other platforms, including WhatsApp and Slack. - This move reflects a broader industry shift towards "agentic workflows," where autonomous AI agents execute multi-step tasks, make decisions, and interact with other systems, effectively turning SaaS products from interfaces into databases. - For a CTO at a growth-stage B2B SaaS company, the key transition is from hands-on coding to strategic leadership, focusing on architectural direction, hiring senior talent, and managing cross-functional collaboration. This involves aligning the technology roadmap with business goals and working closely with the CEO and other executives. - The UK AI sector is experiencing significant investment, with startups raising a record £2.9 billion in 2024 and accounting for 30% of all UK venture capital in the first half of 2025. Notable recent funding rounds in London include self-driving car startup Wayve, which raised $1.1 billion. - In Formula 1, debate continues around a perceived pro-British bias in media coverage and steward decisions, particularly from Sky Sports F1, the sport's main international broadcaster. Recent discussions have involved incidents between Max Verstappen and British drivers Lando Norris and George Russell.
