# Red Xiao

> Red Xiao, also known as Xiao Hong (肖弘), is the founder and CEO of Manus. A software engineering graduate of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, he founded Nightingale in 2015, built WeChat tools, and later founded Butterfly Effect and launched Monica. Manus launched in March 2025 and resumed independent operations in September 2026 after the reversal of its Meta acquisition.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Manus
- **Organizations:** Manus, Butterfly Effect, Monica, Wuhan Nightingale Technology
- **Nationality:** Chinese
- **Education:** Undergraduate degree in software engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
- **Known for:** Founded Nightingale and developed Yiban and Weiban for the WeChat ecosystem., Built Monica, whose user base was reported as four million at his October 2024 university appearance., Led Manus through its March 2025 launch; the company reported crossing $100 million ARR in December 2025.

## Career timeline

- **2011** — Entered Huazhong University of Science and Technology to study software engineering.
- **2015** — Founded Nightingale while in his final university year; graduated that year.
- **2015-2022** — Built WeChat ecosystem products Yiban Assistant and Weiban Assistant.
- **2022** — Founded Butterfly Effect and pursued AI applications, including the Monica browser assistant.
- **2023** — Monica acquired the ChatGPT for Google browser extension.
- **2024** — Returned to his university in October to discuss entrepreneurship; the university reported Monica had four million users.
- **2025-03** — Manus launched its general-purpose AI agent.
- **2025-12** — Manus announced more than $100 million ARR and an acquisition by Meta.
- **2026-04** — Chinese authorities prohibited the foreign acquisition of Manus and ordered the parties to withdraw.
- **2026-09** — Manus resumed independent operations on September 1 and introduced Manus 2.0 on September 28.

## Achievements

- Founded Nightingale and developed Yiban and Weiban for the WeChat ecosystem.
- Built Monica, whose user base was reported as four million at his October 2024 university appearance.
- Led Manus through its March 2025 launch; the company reported crossing $100 million ARR in December 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Manus resumed independent operations on September 1 with the founding team continuing to lead.
- **2026-09** — September 17 reporting described a proposed $500 million financing at a $4 billion valuation; discussions were ongoing and terms could change.
- **2026-09** — Manus introduced Manus 2.0 on September 28; Xiao shared the launch with “We’re back.”

## Links

- Website: https://manus.im
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/red-xiao-9ab9a5165/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/Red_Xiao_

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/red-xiao
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-07