Benchmark Leads $75M Round in Manus AI, Testing Shows Mixed Results

The deal quintuples Manus's previous valuation, according to Bloomberg. That's quite a vote of confidence for a company whose demo went viral in March – though users quickly discovered its AI agents weren't quite ready for prime time.

Manus claims its AI agents can handle everything from website development to real estate research. The reality? Sometimes they crash mid-task or skip crucial steps. It's like having an eager intern who occasionally forgets how doors work.

The Tech Behind the Hype

Reports suggest Manus might leverage advanced language models for its AI agents. These models can interact with external applications through features that let AI systems use real-world software – though Manus hasn't confirmed the specifics of its technology stack.

Premium Pricing Despite Growing Pains

Butterfly Effect, Manus's parent company, isn't letting a few hiccups slow it down. They've already launched paid subscriptions at $39 and $199 monthly, matching OpenAI's pricing with what some might call impressive confidence.

Global Expansion on the Horizon

The fresh capital will fuel expansion into the US, Japan, and Middle East markets. Previous investors include Chinese tech giant Tencent and HSG (formerly Sequoia China), who must be feeling pretty smart right now.

Battle of the AI Agents Heats Up

Manus faces stiff competition from OpenAI's Operator, which launched in January. Both services aim to automate everyday tasks, though perhaps "aim" is the operative word here.

Representatives from both Manus and Benchmark declined to comment, maintaining that time-honored Silicon Valley tradition of strategic silence.

Why this matters:

• Silicon Valley's betting big on AI agents despite their current limitations – suggesting either remarkable foresight or a serious case of FOMO.
• The gap between demo and reality hints at a broader truth in AI: even half-billion-dollar valuations can't make computers perfectly replicate human judgment... yet.