GoKawiil
Tech News
GoPro published an open letter addressing customer concerns that its planned merger with Starman could shift focus away from consumer and professional cameras. The company said the deal will strengthen its finances and enable continued investment in new cameras, accessories and software, pointing to its history of over 2,500 patents as evidence of ongoing innovation.
GoPro has agreed to a $285 million cash merger with Starman Optical, a privately held maker of high-speed optical transceivers for AI data centers. Shareholders will receive $1.14 per share plus a roughly 10% stake in the combined, still Nasdaq-listed company, and Starman will also pay off GoPro's $92 million debt. The deal, expected to close by year-end pending regulatory approval, comes as GoPro's stock had crashed toward delisting territory amid weak sales and auditor doubts about its survival.
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.
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.
GoPro has agreed to be acquired by Starman Optical for $285 million, with shareholders receiving $1.14 per share and retaining roughly 10% of the combined company. The deal, expected to close by year-end, will eliminate GoPro's $92 million in debt and keep the company publicly traded. It follows earlier signals that GoPro was exploring a shift toward defense technology, and comes just after YouTuber Markiplier disclosed an 8.5% stake in the company.
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.
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.