China blocks Meta’s takeover of Manus to contain AI transfers
Beijing has decided to prohibit the acquisition of the agentic AI startup Manus by Meta Platforms, an operation estimated at 2 billion dollars, or around 1.7 billion euros, in the name of the rules governing foreign investments. Behind this decision, Chinese authorities, via the National Development and Reform Commission, explicitly aim to prevent the transfer of sensitive technologies to the United States.
This intervention, even though the transaction was already largely executed, with integrated talents and paid capital, marks a clear hardening of Chinese doctrine: the origin of the founders and technologies now takes precedence over the legal location of the companies. It comes in a context of increased rivalry with Washington, a few weeks before a meeting between Xi Jinping and Donald Trump.
Beyond the Manus case, the signal is systemic: Beijing intends to limit the access of American capital and actors to its AI ecosystem, even if it means weakening the sector’s historic financing mechanisms.
Cyera buys Ryft to accelerate data security in the era of AI agents
Cybersecurity company Cyera announces the acquisition of Israeli startup Ryft, specializing in automated and secure data management for AI systems. The amount of the operation has not been communicated, but is estimated between 92 and 120 million euros, for a company which had only raised 6.8 million euros.
Founded in 2024, Ryft is developing a platform capable of analyzing and governing access to data in real time, both humans and autonomous agents, by automating authorization, classification and optimization processes. The team of around 15 people joins Cyera, where its CEO Yossi Reitblat will head the AI security division.
This acquisition is part of Cyera’s acceleration strategy for securing uses linked to AI, in a context of strong growth. Valued at 7.6 billion euros after a recent raising of 340 million euros, the company is carrying out build-up operations to consolidate its positioning.
Audion raises 13 million euros to accelerate in audio advertising
Audion has raised 13 million euros from Elevation Capital Partners, Founders Future and Bpifrance to accelerate its development, particularly in the United States. The French startup, founded in 2018, is developing an audio advertising platform based on the analysis of contextual data, such as location, weather or listening time, in order to optimize the distribution of campaigns.
Positioned in a market driven by podcasts and streaming, Audion is banking on automation and AI to improve advertising performance. This fundraising should allow it to strengthen its position against players like Acast or Azerion, in an increasingly competitive environment. The startup previously raised €6 million, following a €1 million round in 2019 from Kima Ventures and Founders Future.
