Manifold
Manifold is a Vancouver-based Web3 infrastructure company that provides Ethereum-based NFT creation tools, open-source smart contracts, embeddable widgets, and a peer-to-peer marketplace serving creators, brands, auction houses, and developers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersVancouver, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Manifold does
Manifold is a Vancouver-based Web3 infrastructure company, incorporated as Manifold Technologies Ltd. in British Columbia, Canada, that builds tools and products for NFT creators, brands, and auction houses on Ethereum. Founded in 2021 and operating with a lean team of fewer than ten engineers and designers, the company offers a vertically integrated stack: Manifold Studio (a self-serve platform for creators to mint, manage, and sell NFTs), Manifold Gallery (a peer-to-peer marketplace), open-source smart contracts (Manifold Creator extending ERC-721/ERC-1155 with on-chain royalties, Creator Extensions, and Mint Permissions; Manifold Marketplace contracts; and the cross-platform Royalty Registry), a suite of embeddable widgets (Connect, Campaign, Marketplace, Claim, Curation, Restricted Token, Wallet Identity, Subscription, and 6551 Display widgets), and developer tools including the Manifold Client SDK, Merkle Tree Tool, Snapshot Tool, Discord Tools, and the Shopify Merch Bridge for token-gated retail commerce.
The underlying technology centers on Ethereum-based smart contracts, with Manifold's Creator Core architecture providing functionality beyond standard token contracts, including editable on-chain royalties, transfer and burn hooks, and customizable mint permission rule sets. Distribution combines product-led growth (self-serve creator onboarding via Studio) with community-led developer adoption through open-source GitHub repositories, comprehensive developer documentation, and a community forum. Revenue is described as subscription/recurring around NFT infrastructure and tools, although specific pricing is not publicly disclosed.
The company serves four primary customer segments: individual digital artists and creators (the primary segment, ranging from top-tier names like Beeple, Jay-Z, and SiA to independent creators), brands and corporations (Adidas, Fortune, Mercedes-AMG), auction houses and galleries (Christie's, Phillips, Sotheby's, Pace Gallery, Foundation, OpenSea, Nifty), and web developers building NFT-enabled applications. Manifold is privately held and backed by a16z crypto and Initialized Capital, with a December 2022 round additionally bringing in Christie's and Samsung NEXT's Q Fund.
Manifold firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Manifold
- Legal name
- Manifold Technologies Ltd.
- Website
- https://manifold.xyz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Manifold is a Vancouver-based Web3 infrastructure company that provides Ethereum-based NFT creation tools, open-source smart contracts, embeddable widgets, and a peer-to-peer marketplace serving creators, brands, auction houses, and developers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Manifold industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Web3 NFT Infrastructure
- akta.pro primary industry
- NFT Minting & Creation Tooling (no-code/low-code, batch minting, generative drops) (FSAPAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- NFT Infrastructure APIs & Indexing (NFT data APIs, indexing, search, analytics) (FSAPAFAE), NFT Commerce, Ticketing & Utility Enablement (token-gated access, memberships, passes, ticketing rails) (FSAPAFAJ)
Keywords
Where Manifold is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vancouver
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Manifold business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- NFT Infrastructure and Tools: Manifold provides tools and infrastructure for blockchain technology, enabling creators to create, sell, and distribute digital goods on Ethereum through their studio platform and developer tools
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Manifold product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Manifold is a Web3 infrastructure platform that provides tools and products for NFT creators and communities to create, sell, and distribute digital goods on Ethereum. Its offerings span a creator-facing minting/management platform (Manifold Studio), a peer-to-peer NFT marketplace (Manifold Gallery), open-source smart contracts with proprietary Creator Core architecture, embeddable UI widgets for wallet/marketplace/token-gating functionality, a JavaScript/TypeScript Client SDK, and integration apps such as the Shopify Merch Bridge for token-gated merchandise.
Product overview
Manifold is a Web3 infrastructure platform providing tools for creating, selling, and distributing digital goods (NFTs) on Ethereum. The product portfolio consists of Manifold Studio (the creator-facing minting and management platform) and Manifold Gallery (the peer-to-peer marketplace), supported by open-source smart contracts (Manifold Creator, Marketplace, Royalty Registry), a suite of embeddable UI Widgets (Connect, Campaign, Marketplace, Claim, Curation, Restricted Token, Wallet Identity, Subscription, and 6551 Display Widgets), developer tools (Manifold Client SDK, Ethereum Provider, Merkle Tree Tool, Snapshot Tool, Discord Tools), the Shopify Merch Bridge for gated e-commerce, and custom smart contract extensions (Creator Extensions, Mint Permissions). The platform is designed for creators ranging from top artists to independent visionaries, with smart contracts powering work for Beeple, Jay-Z, SiA, and brands like Adidas and Mercedes-AMG.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Manifold Studio: Platform for creators to mint, manage, and sell NFTs
- Manifold Gallery
- Manifold Developer Tools
- Manifold Apps
Products and services
- Manifold Studio Self-serve web platform for creators to mint, manage, and sell NFTs directly without needing technical expertise. Includes tools for creating editions, 1-of-1s, burn-to-redeem mechanics, royalty configuration, and connection to the Manifold Gallery marketplace. Targeted at individual creators, brands, and communities publishing work on Ethereum.
- Manifold Gallery Peer-to-peer marketplace for browsing, auctioning, and purchasing NFTs created on the Manifold platform. Supports auction-style bidding and purchase listings with configurable parameters (start/end times, floor price, ERC20 token sales, identity verification). Targeted at collectors and buyers of NFT-enabled digital art.
- Manifold Creator Smart Contracts Open-source smart contract suite providing the Creator Core architecture that extends ERC721 and ERC1155 standards with advanced NFT capabilities including on-chain royalty configuration, Creator Extensions (custom minting, dynamic NFTs, transfer hooks, royalty overrides), and Mint Permissions framework (date/time and token-count rules). Targeted at developers and creators deploying custom NFT contracts on Ethereum.
- Manifold Marketplace Smart Contracts Smart contract that powers the Manifold Gallery marketplace, supporting auction listings and purchase listings with configurable parameters including start/end times, floor price, ERC20 token sales, and identity verification. Targeted at developers building NFT marketplace functionality.
- Royalty Registry On-chain royalty registry enabling NFT marketplaces to access appropriate royalty configurations and allowing contracts without native royalty support to add royalties. Co-developed with Coinbase, Foundation, Makersplace, Nifty Gateway, OpenSea, Rarible, SuperRare, and Zora. Targeted at marketplaces and developers standardizing on-chain royalties across the NFT ecosystem.
- Shopify Merch Bridge Shopify app enabling gated web3 retail commerce by allowing creators to token-gate Shopify products, restricting merchandise purchases to NFT holders via product gates, rules, and discounts. Targeted at creators and brands that want to sell physical merchandise exclusively to their NFT community.
- Manifold Client SDK JavaScript/TypeScript SDK for building React-based minting applications and minting bots. Includes APIs for product retrieval, purchases, inventory management, edition products, blind mint functionality, and public provider adapters (Wagmi, Viem, Ethers v5). Server-side authentication available via Signature Grant and Authorization Code Grant flows. Targeted at web developers integrating NFT minting into their own applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Fine objects minted through Manifold have been sold through every major global auction house including Christie's, Phillips, and Sotheby's
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Manifold
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Manifold technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature10 records
Manifold partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Christie'sflagshipFine objects minted through Manifold have been sold through Christie's auction house. Christie's has featured Manifold-powered works at their Art+Tech Summit.
- Sotheby'sflagshipFine objects minted through Manifold have been sold through Sotheby's auction house
- PhillipsflagshipFine objects minted through Manifold have been sold through Phillips auction house
- CoinbasecoreCollaborated with Manifold to create the Royalty Registry, enabling on-chain royalty configurations across platforms
- OpenSeacoreCollaborated with Manifold on the Royalty Registry to standardize on-chain royalties across NFT marketplaces
- FoundationcoreCollaborated with Manifold on the Royalty Registry for standardized on-chain royalties
- SuperRarecoreCollaborated with Manifold on the Royalty Registry for standardized on-chain royalties
- RariblecoreCollaborated with Manifold on the Royalty Registry for standardized on-chain royalties
- ZoracoreCollaborated with Manifold on the Royalty Registry for standardized on-chain royalties
- Nifty GatewaycoreCollaborated with Manifold on the Royalty Registry for standardized on-chain royalties
- MakersplacecoreCollaborated with Manifold on the Royalty Registry for standardized on-chain royalties
- AdidasflagshipBrand partner that has used Manifold for NFT and digital goods projects
- Mercedes-AMGflagshipBrand partner that has used Manifold for NFT and digital goods projects
- FortuneflagshipBrand partner that has used Manifold for NFT and digital goods projects
- ShopifycoreShopify Merch Bridge app enables gated web3 retail commerce through Shopify stores, allowing creators to token-gate merchandise sales
- 6529minorFeatured creator/project on Manifold's platform with gallery presence at gallery.manifold.xyz
- MetaMaskcoreWallet provider supported by Manifold's Connect Widget for blockchain interaction and wallet authentication
- Coinbase WalletcoreWallet provider supported by Manifold's Connect Widget for blockchain interaction and wallet authentication
- WalletConnectcoreWallet connection protocol supported by Manifold's Connect Widget for mobile wallet connections
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Manifold competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Reservoir: Reservoir provides NFT liquidity infrastructure (an order-book and aggregation protocol) used by marketplaces and platforms. It is comparable to Manifold as backend NFT infrastructure and competes for developer integrations.
- SuperRare: SuperRare is a curated, premium NFT art marketplace with its own smart contracts and creator infrastructure. It overlaps directly with Manifold in the high-end digital art segment and was a Royalty Registry collaborator.
- Thirdweb: Thirdweb offers a broad Web3 development platform with NFT smart contract deployment, SDKs, and marketplace tooling across multiple chains. It is a direct competitor to Manifold's creator-facing smart contract architecture and developer SDK.
- Rarible: Rarible operates an NFT marketplace and aggregation protocol (Rarible Protocol) on Ethereum, with creator-facing minting and royalty tooling. It overlaps with Manifold on both marketplace and infrastructure layers and was a Royalty Registry collaborator.
- Zora: Zora provides an on-chain NFT minting protocol, creator marketplace, and protocol-level reward system on Ethereum and L2s. It is the closest direct competitor to Manifold's Studio + Gallery + open-source contract stack, with overlapping developer tooling and creator-onboarding motion.
- Foundation: Foundation is a curated NFT marketplace focused on digital art and creators, and a Royalty Registry collaborator. It competes with Manifold Gallery for premium creator listings and overlaps on creator tooling.
- Nifty Gateway: Nifty Gateway is a curated NFT marketplace owned by Gemini, focused on premium drops from notable artists and brands. It overlaps with Manifold's premium creator positioning and was a Royalty Registry collaborator.
Emerging players
- Crossmint: Crossmint provides enterprise-grade NFT minting APIs and wallet infrastructure, enabling brands and developers to issue NFTs without crypto-native UX. It competes with Manifold's developer widget and SDK offering for enterprise and brand use cases.
Broad incumbents
- OpenSea: OpenSea is the dominant NFT marketplace and has expanded into protocol-level infrastructure (SeaPort) and creator tooling (OpenSea Studio). It competes directly with Manifold Gallery for listings and increasingly with Manifold Studio for minting.
- Magic Eden: Magic Eden is a multi-chain NFT marketplace and aggregator with expanding creator launchpad and tooling offerings. It competes with Manifold in marketplace aggregation and increasingly in creator infrastructure across Ethereum and L2s.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Manifold social profiles
Digital presenceManifold financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Manifold leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Manifold funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Manifold M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Manifold
What does Manifold do?
Manifold is a Web3 infrastructure platform that provides tools and products for NFT creators and communities to create, sell, and distribute digital goods on Ethereum. Its offerings span a creator-facing minting/management platform (Manifold Studio), a peer-to-peer NFT marketplace (Manifold Gallery), open-source smart contracts with proprietary Creator Core architecture, embeddable UI widgets for wallet/marketplace/token-gating functionality, a JavaScript/TypeScript Client SDK, and integration apps such as the Shopify Merch Bridge for token-gated merchandise.
Is Manifold a public or private company?
Manifold is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Manifold founded?
Manifold was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Manifold based?
Manifold is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Manifold make money?
One revenue line is on record: NFT Infrastructure and Tools.
Who are Manifold's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Reservoir, SuperRare, Thirdweb, Rarible, Zora, Foundation and Nifty Gateway. Crossmint is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are OpenSea and Magic Eden.
Does Manifold have an API?
Yes. Manifold provides a suite of developer tools including the Manifold Client SDK for building React minting apps and minting bots. The SDK includes APIs for product retrieval, purchases, inventory management, edition products, blind mint functionality, and public provider adapters (Wagmi, Viem, Ethers v5). Developer documentation includes guides for HTML, React, NextJS, Vue, Wix, and Squarespace integration. Server-side authentication is available via Signature Grant and Authorization Code Grant flows. The Data Client API provides NFT information retrieval and access to Manifold Services after wallet authentication. Developer documentation is at docs.manifold.xyz/manifold-for-developers.
What industry is Manifold in?
Manifold's product category is Web3 NFT Infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAPAFAA, NFT Minting & Creation Tooling (no-code/low-code, batch minting, generative drops), with a secondary code of FSAPAFAE, NFT Infrastructure APIs & Indexing (NFT data APIs, indexing, search, analytics).