Manifest, a pioneer in software and AI supply chain security, announced a leadership transition designed to guide the company into its next stage of growth. Co-founder Marc Frankel will step down as Chief Executive Officer, with Daniel Bardenstein, fellow co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, set to assume the CEO role effective November 1, 2025.

Frankel, who has led Manifest since its founding in 2022, will remain closely involved with the company as a board member and strategic advisor. In this new capacity, he will focus on strengthening partnerships, expanding government collaboration, and supporting the company’s enterprise strategy.

Founded by Frankel and Bardenstein in the aftermath of the Log4Shell vulnerability, Manifest was created to bring transparency and security to the global software ecosystem. The leadership transition marks a natural progression in the company’s evolution and highlights the founders’ decade-long collaboration. The move reinforces Manifest’s long-term vision and commitment to innovation in cybersecurity and AI risk management.

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Bardenstein brings extensive experience across both the private and public sectors, having led cybersecurity programs and built advanced security products at organizations such as Palantir and Exabeam. He previously served as Cybersecurity Lead for Operation Warp Speed, Director of Hack the Pentagon, and most recently as Chief of Technology Strategy and Delivery at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). His combined technical expertise and leadership background uniquely position him to guide Manifest’s continued expansion.

Since the company’s inception, Bardenstein has spearheaded innovation and customer adoption of the Manifest Platform, driving growth across key industries including defense, healthcare, finance, and automotive. Under his leadership, the company introduced Manifest AI Risk, a groundbreaking solution for AI supply chain security unveiled at the 2025 Black Hat Conference in Las Vegas. The product has quickly gained traction among leading global enterprises working to secure AI models and datasets.

Throughout 2025, Manifest has achieved notable momentum — doubling its workforce, entering new markets, and delivering strong revenue growth. These milestones reflect the company’s expanding influence and the increasing demand for its trusted cybersecurity solutions.

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“I’m honored to lead Manifest into its next phase of growth and innovation,” said Daniel Bardenstein, CEO and co-founder of Manifest. “Our mission has always been to make technology more transparent and secure. With advancements such as our AI Risk platform, FedRAMP High Authorization, and IL5 certifications, we are setting new standards for software and AI supply chain security. I look forward to continuing the work Marc and I began together and helping organizations around the world build more secure systems.”

Marc Frankel, co-founder, strategic advisor, and board member, added: “This is a pivotal moment for Manifest. Daniel has been instrumental in shaping our technology and vision from the very beginning. His deep technical insight and leadership make him the ideal person to lead the company into its next chapter.”

Conrad Shang, partner at Ensemble Capital and member of Manifest’s board, commented: “Manifest stands out for its blend of technical excellence and market impact. Daniel’s leadership, supported by Marc’s ongoing involvement, ensures continuity and confidence for customers, partners, and investors as the company scales.”

With this transition, Manifest is well-positioned to accelerate its innovation pipeline, expand global partnerships, and define the future of secure software and AI ecosystems.

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