GoPro to merge with Starman Optical in $285m AI pivot

GoPro has entered a definitive agreement to merge with Starman Optical, a privately held optical-photonics company, in a deal that redirects the action-camera maker toward artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Under the terms announced by the company, GoPro shareholders receive an aggregate cash payment of $285 million — about $1.14 per share — while retaining roughly 10% ownership of the combined business. GoPro’s outstanding debt of approximately $92 million is to be repaid in full at closing, leaving the merged company substantially debt-free.

The strategic logic is Starman’s product line rather than GoPro’s. The deal brings in a US-manufactured optical transceiver business, the kind of component that moves data inside large computing facilities, and the combined company says it will pursue AI data centre infrastructure along with government, defence and aerospace markets.

GoPro will remain publicly listed on Nasdaq, and said it will continue supporting its existing consumer cameras along with its subscription and cloud platform.

Closing is expected by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, a GoPro shareholder vote and other customary conditions — meaning the transaction is agreed but not yet done.

This article is a market report, not investment advice.