GoPro has been acquired by Starman Holding for $285 million in cash, right after YouTuber Markiplier became its largest shareholder. CEO Nick Woodman now calls GoPro an American imaging and optical solutions company, with a mission tied to defense, government, robotics, aerospace, and AI data centers.
Starman Holding CEO Charles Tebele said the plan is to merge GoPro’s optical expertise with Starman’s transceiver technology. The goal is to bring production of critical components back to the United States. This shift moves GoPro away from its consumer camera roots and into industries linked to national security and AI infrastructure.
GoPro’s stock jumped 40 percent after the deal was announced. Shareholders will receive a $285 million cash payment, equal to about $1.14 per share. The company’s $92 million debt will be repaid at closing, and its shares will stay listed on Nasdaq. Major investors include Markiplier with an 8.5 percent stake and BlackRock with 6.4 percent.
Starman Holding owns several consumer brands, including Incipio, Incase, Griffin, and Survivor. It also has ties to Digital Gadgets, a company that secured large COVID-19 test contracts and made political donations in New York. With GoPro now under its wing, Starman is expected to use its broader portfolio while pushing GoPro into new markets beyond consumer tech.
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GoPro said it will continue supporting its cameras, subscriptions, and cloud services while investing in a wider product roadmap. The next step will show how GoPro adapts to its new mission and whether its technology expands into robotics, aerospace, defense, and AI data centers.
