GoPro to Merge With Starman Optical in $285 Million Cash Deal, Pivoting to AI, Defense Tech

September 1, 2026

GoPro has agreed to 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, while GoPro’s $92 million in outstanding debt will be repaid 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, and 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. MW