# Marc Frankel

> Marc Frankel is Manifest’s co-founder, founding CEO, board member, and strategic advisor. A Colgate Russian Studies graduate and Watson Fellow with a graduate degree from Fletcher, he worked in finance and held leadership positions at Palantir and Expanse before launching Manifest in 2022. He advocates for usable software and AI component inventories; Daniel Bardenstein succeeded him as CEO in November 2025.

- **Role:** Co-founder, Board Member, and Strategic Advisor at Manifest
- **Organizations:** Manifest, Palantir Technologies, Expanse, Palo Alto Networks, Watson Foundation
- **Education:** B.A., Russian Studies, Colgate University, Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy, International Security, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University
- **Known for:** Thomas J. Watson Fellowship recipient., Co-founded Manifest and served as founding CEO from 2022 to November 2025., Led Manifest during its $15 million Series A and FedRAMP High authorization milestones.

## Career timeline

- **2006** — Graduated from Colgate; awarded a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship to study isolated Jewish communities internationally.
- **2010** — Studied at Fletcher, volunteered as an admissions interviewer, and contributed to the Fletcher Ledger.
- **2012** — Published a Fair Observer article about entrepreneurship after Iceland’s banking crisis.
- **2013-2018** — Worked at Palantir, where he met Daniel Bardenstein on their first day.
- **Before 2022** — Held leadership positions at Expanse, subsequently acquired by Palo Alto Networks.
- **2022** — Launched Manifest as co-founder and founding CEO.
- **2023-12** — Announced an AFRL innovation contract for AIBOM research with Fletcher.
- **2024-12** — Announced Manifest’s FedRAMP High authorization through Palantir FedStart.
- **2025-04** — Manifest announced a $15 million Series A.
- **2025-08** — Manifest launched AI Risk; Frankel published an essay advocating AI supply chain transparency.
- **2025-11** — Daniel Bardenstein succeeded him as CEO; Frankel remained a board member and became strategic advisor.

## Achievements

- Thomas J. Watson Fellowship recipient.
- Co-founded Manifest and served as founding CEO from 2022 to November 2025.
- Led Manifest during its $15 million Series A and FedRAMP High authorization milestones.

## Latest updates

- **2025-11** — Became Manifest’s strategic advisor while remaining a co-founder and board member, following Daniel Bardenstein’s succession as CEO.
- **2025-08** — Published Why AI Transparency Can’t Wait alongside Manifest’s AI Risk launch.
- **2025-04** — Manifest announced a $15 million Series A during his tenure as CEO.

## Links

- Website: https://www.manifestcyber.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcfrankel

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/marc-frankel
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-12