GoPro to merge with Starman Optical, pivot to AI data centers; shares surge 38%

GoPro announced a merger with Starman Optical to enter AI data center and defense markets, sending shares up 38%.

TruthFoundry News Desk

Stands on 8 placed sources from 2 publishers.

As of 2026-09-01 20:00 UTC. Market figures are as the cited sources reported them at that time and may have moved since. This is news, not investment advice.

GoPro announced on 2026-07-28 a definitive merger with Starman Optical, a private photonics company, to expand into AI data center and defense markets. ^[1] Allbirds, a shoe brand, rebranded to Smartbird, an AI company, a few months ago, causing its stock to soar overnight by over 800% to more than $20. ^[2] As part of the merger, GoPro shareholders will receive a $285 million cash payment, equivalent to $1.14 per share, and the stock will remain listed on the Nasdaq. ^[3] GoPro shares rose 38% on 2026-07-28 following the announcement of the merger with Starman Optical. ^[4] Nicholas Woodman, CEO of GoPro, said in the merger announcement that the deal will enable GoPro to grow across consumer, commercial and defense markets as a leading American imaging and optical solutions company addressing national security areas. ^[5] In this year, Allbirds sold its footwear IP and merchandise to American Exchange Group for $39 million, a significant reduction from its previous valuation. ^[6] Since hitting a peak of just over $24 on April 15th, Smartbird has shed 90% of its value and is now trading around $2.50. ^[7] Smartbird's latest quarterly financial documents warn that the company may be unable to implement its AI Infrastructure Business successfully or at all. ^[8]

What this stands on

GoPro announced on 2026-07-28 a definitive merger with Starman Optical, a private photonics company, to expand into AI data center and defense markets. ·

CNBCUnited States

Allbirds, a shoe brand, rebranded to Smartbird, an AI company, a few months ago, causing its stock to soar overnight by over 800% to more than $20. · Protos

As part of the merger, GoPro shareholders will receive a $285 million cash payment, equivalent to $1.14 per share, and the stock will remain listed on the Nasdaq. ·

CNBCUnited States

GoPro shares rose 38% on 2026-07-28 following the announcement of the merger with Starman Optical. ·

CNBCUnited States

Nicholas Woodman, CEO of GoPro, said in the merger announcement that the deal will enable GoPro to grow across consumer, commercial and defense markets as a leading American imaging and optical solutions company addressing national security areas. ·

CNBCUnited States

In this year, Allbirds sold its footwear IP and merchandise to American Exchange Group for $39 million, a significant reduction from its previous valuation. · Protos

Since hitting a peak of just over $24 on April 15th, Smartbird has shed 90% of its value and is now trading around $2.50. · Protos

Smartbird's latest quarterly financial documents warn that the company may be unable to implement its AI Infrastructure Business successfully or at all. · Protos

The one we could place publishes from United States. 1 could not be placed by their address. None is an official body: that part stands on reporting, not on the underlying document or transcript.

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