GoPro announced a $285 million merger with optical-photonics firm Starman Optical, aiming to enter the AI infrastructure market through Starman's optical transceiver technology. The camera maker also plans to expand into defense, government, robotics and aerospace sectors while retaining its core action-camera business. The news comes days after YouTuber Markiplier disclosed an 8.5% stake, becoming GoPro's largest individual shareholder.
slashdot.org
· 2026-09-01
GoPro announced a definitive merger with private photonics firm Starman Optical, aiming to expand beyond action cameras into AI data center infrastructure and defense-related optics. Shareholders will receive $285 million in cash, or $1.14 per share, while the stock stays on the Nasdaq and existing consumer products continue. Shares jumped 40% on the news, with major stakeholders including Markiplier and BlackRock standing to benefit.
cnbc.com
· 2026-09-01
YouTube personality Markiplier has purchased an 8.5% stake in GoPro, making him the camera maker's largest individual shareholder. The move sent GoPro's stock up nearly 80% at one point Tuesday, a sharp reversal after shares had languished around 60 cents through most of August amid fears of delisting.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-01
GoPro announced a merger with optical-photonics company Starman Optical, a deal valued at $285 million that will pay off GoPro's roughly $92 million in outstanding debt. Existing GoPro shareholders will retain about 10 percent ownership of the combined, still publicly traded company, which expects the deal to close by the end of 2026 pending shareholder and regulatory approval. Beyond its camera and subscription business, GoPro plans to expand into optical transceivers for AI infrastructure, along with defense, government, robotics and aerospace markets.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-01
GoPro has been bought by Starman Holding, a diversified holding company with ties to phone case brands like Incipio and Incase, in a $285 million cash deal characterized as a merger. GoPro CEO Nick Woodman is now positioning the company as an imaging and optics business serving national security, AI infrastructure, and aerospace markets rather than just consumer action cameras. The deal follows closely on the heels of YouTuber Markiplier becoming GoPro's largest shareholder without disclosing it in a sponsored review.
theverge.com
· 2026-09-01
GoPro's stock jumped sharply after disclosures showed that YouTube star Markiplier now holds the largest individual stake in the company. The rally continued into premarket trading, pushing shares to their highest level since early January.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-01
YouTuber Mark 'Markiplier' Fischbach has purchased an 8.5 percent stake in GoPro, making him the camera maker's biggest shareholder, according to Bloomberg. He told the outlet he views GoPro as undervalued and frames the investment as supporting his broader goal of making filmmaking more accessible, following his debut feature film Iron Lung.
theverge.com
· 2026-08-31
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