💼 GoPro acquired for $285 million and pivoted to AI and defense optics

GoPro (NASDAQ: GPRO) has signed a definitive agreement to merge with private American opto-photonics company Starman Optical. Shareholders will receive a total of $285 million in cash — $1.14 per share, a premium of approximately 29.5% to the last price — and will retain approximately 10% of the combined company. GoPro's debt of approximately $92 million will be fully paid off at closing. The deal is subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, with closing expected by the end of 2026.

🌍 The deal is part of a trend of onshoring optical components for AI data centers: Starman, through its Starman New Photonics division, manufactures optical transceivers in the U.S. — data transmission modules inside data centers — while GoPro adds optical expertise and more than 2,500 U.S. patents. The center of gravity of the combined company shifts to AI infrastructure, government defense contracts, aerospace, and robotics. The camera business is effectively deemed non-core: a company that peaked at a market capitalization of approximately $4 billion in 2014 is exiting for $285 million. Context: in June, GoPro warned of insolvency risk, first-quarter sales fell 26% year-over-year to $99 million with a net loss of $80.8 million, and in July, founder Nicholas Woodman personally provided the company with $20 million in the form of secured promissory notes.

👤 GoPro cameras will not disappear: the company will remain on Nasdaq and continue to support cameras, subscription, and cloud. Shareholders will receive $1.14 per share plus approximately 10% of the new company. It is worth watching the deal closing by the end of 2026 and GoPro's proxy statement in the SEC. A separate story: a few days before the deal, YouTuber Mark Fischbach (Markiplier) disclosed an 8.5% stake through Schedule 13G, becoming the largest private shareholder — the 29.5% premium turned this into a meme-stock-style story.

Source 1: https://investor.gopro.com/press-releases/press-release-details/2026/GOPRO-ENTERS-INTO-DEFINITIVE-AGREEMENT-TO-MERGE-WITH-STARMAN-OPTICAL-INC-/default.aspx

Source 2: https://fstoppers.com/gear/gopro-being-bought-285-million-and-pivoting-ai-and-defense-optics-904434