Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: startups

  • Meta moves to acquire Manus as it races to build advanced AI agents

    Meta moves to acquire Manus as it races to build advanced AI agents

    2025-12-31 09:49:00

    According to PUNCH, Meta has reached a deal to buy Manus, a Chinese‑founded AI‑agent startup, as the tech giant intensifies its push into advanced autonomous agents and enterprise AI tools.

    The report said the acquisition is part of Meta’s broader strategy to accelerate product delivery in AI assistants, workflow automation and agentic systems that can execute tasks across apps and services.

    Industry watchers expect increased scrutiny around cross‑border tech deals and how Meta integrates Manus’ team and intellectual property into its AI roadmap.

    A Reuters video headline stated “Meta to buy Chinese-founded startup Manus to boost advanced AI,” while TechCrunch wrote “Meta just bought Manus, an AI startup everyone has been talking about.”

    Echotitbits take: The real value is likely talent and agent infrastructure. Watch for how quickly Meta ships ‘agent’ features into WhatsApp/Instagram products, and whether regulators flag data‑sovereignty issues.

    Source: Tribune — December 30, 2025 (https://tribune.com.pk/story/2584667/meta-buys-china-founded-ai-agent-manus?amp=1)

    Tribune December 30, 2025

    Photo Credit: Tribune

  • Wema Bank sets ₦120m prize pool for Hackaholics 6.0 grand finale

    Wema Bank sets ₦120m prize pool for Hackaholics 6.0 grand finale

    Photo Credit: Wema Bank Logo – The Nation
    2025-12-14

    According to The Nation, Wema Bank has announced a ₦120 million prize pool for the Hackaholics 6.0 grand finale after regional pitches produced finalist teams, positioning the programme as a pipeline for youth-led innovation.

    The initiative is expected to bring finalists into a competitive showcase where ideas are assessed for product readiness and potential market impact.

    Vanguard also reported the ₦120 million prize pool and quoted Wema Bank leadership on the role of young innovators in shaping technology and nation-building.

    Leadership likewise reported the same prize pool and described it as funding support for finalists advancing to the finale.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: Prize pools are attractive, but the real value is what happens after the finale—mentorship, pilots, distribution and investor access. Watch for the winning solutions, whether they get real-world deployment opportunities, and whether Wema publishes post-programme outcomes that show scaling beyond the event.

    Source: The Nation — 14 Dec 2025 (https://thenationonlineng.net/wema-bank-unveils-n120m-prize-for-hackaholics-grand-finale/)