GoPro is moving into the AI data center market through a $285 million merger with optical-photonics company Starman Optical. The shareholders of GoPro will receive $285 million upon deal closure and retain approximately 10 percent ownership. The company's outstanding debt of around $92 million will also be settled. The merger remains subject to shareholder agreement, regulatory approvals, and closing conditions, with GoPro expecting completion by the end of 2026.

Alongside its core action camera business and subscription services, GoPro will integrate Starman's optical transceivers. This move extends the company's reach into the rapidly growing market for AI infrastructure. GoPro is also planning expansions into defense, government, robotics, and aerospace sectors, leveraging the combined entity's imaging and optics capabilities.

The shift marks an unexpected pivot for the action camera giant. As noted by Reuters, GoPro briefly reached a $4 billion valuation on its first public trading day in 2014. Despite recent stock struggles, the share price rose on news that YouTuber and filmmaker Markiplier (Mark Fischbach) had become the company's largest individual shareholder with an 8.5 percent stake.