Manus AI, an agentic AI platform developed by Chinese startup Butterfly Effect, has joined forces with Microsoft’s Azure AI Foundry, a unified enterprise platform offering access to AI models, tools, and infrastructure. The partnership aims to provide Manus with enhanced scalability, enterprise-grade security, and expanded access to Azure’s AI services.
The move comes as Manus transitions to open public registration, signalling broader market availability. The platform, which was previously accessible through a waitlist, now allows users to sign up directly and offers one free daily task alongside a one-time bonus of 1,000 credits to explore the platform’s features.
Autonomous AI with advanced capabilities and benchmark performance
Manus AI is a general-purpose AI agent capable of autonomously planning and executing tasks across the web. It can interpret and analyse diverse data formats, navigate real-time websites, and generate results using integrated toolchains. According to the GAIA benchmark, which evaluates general AI agents on real-world task execution, Manus has outperformed OpenAI’s Deep Research.
The platform recently introduced image generation features and currently offers tiered plans, including Basic ($19/month), Plus ($39/month), Pro ($199/month), and custom pricing for Team users.
Also read: China Backs AI Startup Manus After Viral Debut
US funding scrutiny follows recent capital raise
Last month, Butterfly Effect reportedly secured $75 million in funding from US-based venture capital firm Benchmark, as reported by Bloomberg. However, this investment is under scrutiny following new outbound investment policies introduced by the US government. According to Semafor, the US Treasury Department is evaluating whether the deal falls under the Outbound Investment Security Program, which mandates disclosures and restrictions on investments in AI and other sensitive technologies associated with geopolitical risks.
The policy, introduced under President Joe Biden’s administration, is designed to prevent critical technologies from enhancing capabilities in countries of concern. Sources have indicated that Benchmark has been approached to clarify whether its investment complies with the new framework.
As the Manus AI platform expands and gains enterprise backing through Azure, the startup’s progress will likely continue to draw regulatory and industry attention—especially as global interest in agentic AI platforms accelerates.
