GoPro Acquired for $285M, Will Remain a Public Company
GoPro is finally being acquired. After years of financial struggles, the action camera pioneer has found a buyer.
Let me break down what is happening.
The Deal
GoPro is being acquired for $285 million. A company called Starman Optical has agreed to merge with GoPro.
Here is how it works. Starman Optical is paying GoPro shareholders $1.14 per share. Those shareholders will keep about 10% of the newly combined company.
The deal, expected to close by the end of this year, will also wipe away GoPro’s outstanding debt of $92 million.
The Defense Pivot
This comes a few months after GoPro revealed it was considering pivoting from building cameras to becoming a defense tech company.
The merger will “maximize the value of GoPro’s IP and growth potential in consumer, commercial and defense markets by recapitalizing the company, strengthening its balance sheet, investing in growth and onshoring the manufacturing of products for strategic markets.”
GoPro will also “fully support” its existing consumer products while “investing in growth and a broader, diversified product roadmap.”
Who Is Starman Optical?
It is not exactly clear what Starman Optical does. The company doesn’t have a significant track record to judge its performance.
Starman Optical bills itself as an “optical-photonics company focused on the development and domestic manufacturing of optical transceivers and related photonics technologies.”
Both Starman Optical and Starman New Photonics are part of Starman Holding, which owns consumer tech brands like Incase, Incipio, and Griffin.
Interesting detail: Starman Optical was only incorporated in Delaware on August 31. Starman New Photonics appears to have been created in 2025 and is building a manufacturing facility in New Jersey.
The CEO’s Statement
Charles Tebele, the CEO of Starman Holdings, said:
“Advanced optics and imaging are essential to AI, national security, and the broader economy, yet much of the critical hardware supporting these technologies continues to be manufactured overseas. The combination of GoPro’s world-class optical expertise and intellectual property with Starman’s advanced transceiver capabilities and U.S. manufacturing platform creates a unique opportunity. Together, we intend to bring production of these critical components back to the United States.”
The Markiplier Connection
A day or so ago, YouTuber Markiplier revealed he had amassed an 8.5% stake in GoPro. That appears to still be in play, though the exact impact is unclear.
GoPro’s Struggles
GoPro went public in 2014, when its action cameras were selling millions of units per year. In the decade since, the company tried branching into new categories like drones and 360-degree cameras, but it didn’t find much luck.
GoPro then refocused on high-performing versions of its action cameras, targeting pros, prosumers, and athletes. But it had to conduct multiple rounds of layoffs as it narrowed the business.
In June, GoPro warned shareholders that it may go out of business without new funding. The following month, founder and CEO Nick Woodman said he was putting $20 million into the business to keep things going.
What’s Next
GoPro founder and CEO Nick Woodman said:
“We expect this merger to enable GoPro to grow across consumer, commercial and defense markets as a leading American imaging and optical solutions company, addressing important areas of national security related to cameras, optics and AI infrastructure. We’re excited to combine with the Starman team to capitalize on this opportunity and play an important role in America’s future.”
The Bottom Line
GoPro is being acquired for $285 million by Starman Optical. The deal wipes out $92 million in debt and leaves shareholders with 10% of the combined company. GoPro will remain a public company and pivot toward defense and domestic manufacturing.
