#USA #Washington #Manifest #Daniel Bardenstein #Marc Frankel

Manifest Announces Leadership Transition

Manifest, recognized as a key player in the software and AI supply chain security domain, has confirmed a noteworthy shift in leadership. Co-founder Marc Frankel, who has led the company as CEO since its inception in 2022, is transitioning to a strategic advisory role while co-founder and current CTO, Daniel Bardenstein, takes the reins as CEO starting November 1, 2025.

This leadership evolution is not merely a change of titles; it was designed to enhance the company's trajectory towards growth and innovation. Frankel, who will continue to be involved as a board member and advisor, will focus on guiding strategic partnerships and key initiatives while supporting Manifest in engaging more with government entities and the broader market.

Bardenstein brings a wealth of experience to the CEO position, having a distinguished background in developing enterprise cybersecurity products and leading extensive cyber programs across various sectors, including government and private industries. His previous roles include launching AI-focused cybersecurity products at notable Silicon Valley startups such as Palantir and Exabeam, serving as the cybersecurity lead for Operation Warp Speed, and acting as the director for Hack the Pentagon. His most recent position was as chief of technology strategy and delivery at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Since the founding of Manifest, Bardenstein has been pivotal in driving innovation and ensuring the market adoption of the company's offerings. He conceptualized and led the development of the Manifest Platform, a tool that has gained early acceptance across the defense, healthcare, automotive, and financial services sectors. Notably, he introduced the groundbreaking Manifest AI Risk recently unveiled at the Black Hat Conference in Las Vegas, which is now utilized by significant organizations globally for securing AI models and datasets.

Under Bardenstein's leadership, Manifest has experienced significant growth in 2025, evidenced by a doubling in team size and expansion into new markets while maintaining a robust revenue stream. In his statement, Bardenstein expressed enthusiasm about leading the company into this new chapter, emphasizing the critical mission of making technology both transparent and secure. He highlighted the advantages of their latest innovations, including the AI Risk product and recent certifications that position Manifest as a leader in the AI and software security arena.

Marc Frankel shared his confidence in Bardenstein's capabilities, recognizing him as a central figure in building their platform and driving key product innovations. His technical and operational expertise, according to Frankel, equips him ideally to guide Manifest through its next growth phase.

Conrad Shang, a partner at Ensemble Capital and a board member at Manifest, also acknowledged the uniqueness of this leadership team's combination of robust technical skills and market insight, ensuring continued confidence for clients, partners, and investors as the company scales.

About Manifest

Manifest is dedicated to securing the AI and software supply chain, offering integrated solutions combining vulnerability management, supplier risk intelligence, and AI governance. Organizations trust Manifest to help identify, prioritize, and mitigate risks within their technology ecosystems, ensuring their operations remain secure and compliant.
For more details, visit manifestcyber.com or follow them on LinkedIn.