forbes.com
Manifest Secures $15M to Secure Software and AI Supply Chains
Manifest, a technology transparency platform, raised $15M in Series A funding to address the surging software supply chain attacks (up 1300% in three years) by automating Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) and AI Bills of Materials (AIBOMs), securing over $100B in defense software procurement.
- What are the long-term implications of Manifest's AIBOM technology for AI security and the broader AI market?
- Manifest's AIBOM capabilities, launched in December 2023, offer a unique advantage by extending SBOM functionality to AI systems, tracking AI models, training data, and dependencies to mitigate risks related to AI adoption. This proactive approach is crucial given the projected $1.8 trillion global AI market by 2030 and the increasing complexity of AI-driven systems.
- How does Manifest's approach to SBOM and AIBOM generation and analysis address the growing threat of software supply chain attacks?
- Manifest's platform automates the generation and analysis of Software Bills of Materials (SBOMs) and AI Bills of Materials (AIBOMs), providing crucial visibility into software components. This directly addresses the surging 1300% increase in software supply chain attacks over the past three years and the lack of transparency impacting organizations managing over $100 billion in defense-related software.
- What is the significance of Manifest's Series A funding round and its implications for the software supply chain security industry?
- Manifest, a software and AI supply chain transparency platform, secured $15 million in Series A funding, experiencing 5x revenue growth and 100% customer retention. Key investors include Ensemble VC, AE Ventures, and several others. This signifies significant market validation and investor confidence in addressing critical software supply chain vulnerabilities.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The narrative heavily favors Manifest, highlighting its successes, funding, and endorsements. The headline and introduction immediately establish Manifest as a solution provider, framing the problem (software supply chain vulnerabilities) as something Manifest solves. The sequencing of information reinforces this, starting with the funding announcement and quickly moving into Manifest's capabilities. This positive framing, while understandable given the context, risks presenting an overly optimistic and potentially skewed view of the market and the challenges involved.
Language Bias
The article uses overwhelmingly positive language to describe Manifest, employing terms like "automated," "cutting-edge," "essential," and "critical." These terms lack neutrality and could be replaced with more objective descriptors such as "efficient," "innovative," "important," and "significant." The repeated use of strong positive adjectives creates a biased tone.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on Manifest's success and capabilities, potentially omitting challenges faced by competitors or limitations of the platform. While acknowledging the limitations of space, a brief mention of alternative approaches or potential drawbacks would enhance the objectivity of the piece. For example, the article could mention the computational cost or data storage requirements of generating and managing SBOMs and AIBOMs.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat simplistic view of the software supply chain security landscape, framing the solution as a clear-cut choice between 'flying blind' and using Manifest's platform. This omits the potential for multiple solutions or a combination of approaches to address the complex problem of software supply chain security. A more nuanced discussion would acknowledge other strategies and the potential for a multi-layered approach.
Gender Bias
The article features several male executives and experts, but no female counterparts are prominently featured in technical roles, despite the prominence of women in the tech industry. While Michele Iversen is mentioned, her role is framed more in terms of compliance than technical expertise. More balanced representation, including women in technical leadership positions, would be beneficial.
Sustainable Development Goals
Manifest develops and provides tools to enhance transparency and security in software and AI supply chains. This directly contributes to building more resilient and secure infrastructure, crucial for economic growth and innovation. The platform aids organizations in identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities, improving the reliability of software and AI systems which are integral to modern infrastructure.