Manifold

Initially founded as an AI lab in 2016, startup Manifold is using its AI expertise to modernize the tech infrastructure of clinical research organizations to help accelerate cancer studies.

Manifold developed an AI-based platform that helps reduce administrative burden for cancer centers and streamlines the manual workflows of clinical research study and data management. This helps research teams speed up the time to insights from months to minutes, according to the company.

The startup aims to modernize researchers' workflows and move away from legacy technology like Excel spreadsheets and other data collection solutions.

The AI lab launched in 2016 at a time of exciting research advances in AI and machine learning, noted Vinay Seth Mohta, CEO and co-founder of Manifold. But, the team recognized that healthcare organizations struggled to build a solid data and AI technology foundation.

In 2022, Manifold shifted to building a software platform for clinical research.

"We realized there is something we can do to bring better care, better medicine and better clinical research to a lot more people," Mohta said in an interview. "As we worked with healthcare organizations, we started to see some of the challenges they had with modern technology and data foundations. We saw a real opportunity to bring that technology to more organizations."

The startup, founded by former Kyruus executives, secured $15 million in series A funding to build out partnerships with healthcare organizations. The funding round was led by TQ Ventures. New investors Calibrate Ventures and SK Ventures also participated in the round. The startup also has attracted notable founders and CEOs including healthcare leader Dr. Sachin H. Jain and existing investors including TTCER Partners.

Manifold is working with cancer centers and rare disease organizations to provide a purpose-built tech infrastructure platform.

Early adopters include Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University. Manifold plans to user the series A funding to grow its partnerships with cancer centers and other healthcare organizations and invest in R&D to build out more capabilities and features, Mohta said.