GoPro will be acquired by Starman Optical for $285 million, wiping out $92 million in debt and leaving shareholders with about 10% of the combined company. The deal values GoPro at $1.14 per share and is expected to close by the end of the year.
The merger comes as GoPro shifts focus from consumer cameras to defense tech, following years of financial struggles and failed expansions into drones and 360-degree cameras. Starman Optical, a newly formed Delaware entity under Starman Holdings, specializes in optical-photonics and domestic manufacturing of transceivers. The acquisition aims to combine GoPro’s optical expertise with Starman’s U.S.-based production platform, targeting national security and AI infrastructure needs.
GoPro’s CEO Nick Woodman framed the deal as a chance to grow across consumer, commercial, and defense markets while strengthening the company’s balance sheet. The merger also supports GoPro’s existing products and broader product roadmap, though details on execution remain limited.
