GoPro has announced a definitive merger with Starman Optical, a private photonics company, as the action camera maker pivots toward AI data center infrastructure and defense markets. Shares closed up 40% on the day of the announcement.
Under the terms of the deal, GoPro shareholders will receive $285 million in cash, or $1.14 per share. The company’s $92 million in existing debt will be repaid at closing. GoPro’s stock will remain listed on the Nasdaq, and the company said it will continue supporting its consumer camera products, subscription services, and cloud platform alongside the expanded business.
GoPro CEO Nicholas Woodman framed the merger as an opportunity to grow across consumer, commercial, and defense segments, citing national security applications in cameras, optics, and AI infrastructure as core areas of focus. The company declined to provide additional details about the transaction.
Among the shareholders benefiting from the share price increase is YouTuber Markiplier, who disclosed an 8.5% stake in a July filing. Private equity firm BlackRock also disclosed a 6.4% stake earlier this summer. GoPro went public in 2014 at $38 per share and has traded at penny stock levels in recent years, making the merger announcement a significant inflection point for the company’s market position.
The move reflects a broader pattern of consumer-facing brands attempting to reposition around AI infrastructure and defense demand. Footwear company Allbirds made a similar pivot in April, rebranding as Smartbird and announcing a shift into AI compute and hardware after years of declining performance in its core retail business.
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