GoPro to Merge With Starman Optical in $285 Million Cash Deal, Changing Focus

GoPro will merge with privately held Starman Optical in a $285 million all-cash deal, marking a strategic pivot from its consumer action-camera roots into AI data-center and defense-technology markets. Under the terms, GoPro shareholders will receive $1.14 per share (subject to working-capital adjustments) and retain a 10% stake in the combined public company. At the same time, the deal will repay GoPro’s $92 million in outstanding debt in full as part of a recapitalization.

The merged entity plans to combine GoPro’s portfolio of more than 2,500 patents with Starman’s U.S. manufacturing to produce domestically made optical transceivers. While GoPro will continue supporting its core camera line, its growth strategy will shift toward consumer, commercial, and defense segments with an emphasis on onshoring production for strategic markets.