GoPro은 Action Acquisitions 및 Starman Optical과 합병 계약을 체결하고 광자 기술(AI photonics technology)을 활용하여 AI 데이터센터 시장으로 사업 영역을 전환하기로 했다.

Sports camera manufacturer GoPro is entering the AI data center market through a merger with optical photonics firm Starman Optical. On Tuesday, September 1, the company announced it had signed a definitive merger agreement with Starman Optical and Action Acquisitions. Under the terms, GoPro will remain publicly traded and continue its existing consumer products, subscription services, and cloud platform offerings. The transaction will also add Starman’s US-made optical transceivers to GoPro’s portfolio, positioning the company to compete directly in the AI infrastructure sector.

“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,” said Charles Tebele, CEO of Starman Holding. “The combination of GoPro’s world-class optical expertise and intellectual property with Starman’s advanced transceiver capabilities and US manufacturing platform creates a unique opportunity. Together, we intend to bring production of these critical components back to the United States.”

Nicholas Woodman, founder and CEO of GoPro, added: “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.”

As part of the deal, GoPro shareholders will receive an aggregate cash payment of $285 million. The transaction will also retire GoPro’s outstanding debt of $92 million in full, leaving the company with a debt-free balance sheet. Subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, the merger is projected to close by the end of calendar year 2026. Houlihan Lokey, Inc. is serving as financial advisor to GoPro, while Fenwick & West LLP is acting as legal counsel.

This move follows a growing trend of unconventional corporate pivots into the AI data center space. In late August, shareholders of Healthy Choices Wellness Corp—the holding company behind wellness retailers and centers including Ellwood Thompson’s and GreenAcres Market—approved a reverse merger with data center operator Host Digital Infrastructure. Other notable examples of similarly unexpected transitions include footwear brand Allbirds, a Taiwanese whiskey importer, a recruitment website, a Singaporean healthcare company, an Indian television production firm, a Chinese auto loan financing company, an aviation operator, and a Malaysian franchisee of Hard Rock Cafe.