Equal Opportunity Ventures Leads Investment in Manta – citybiz

Manta Secures $2M Investment from Equal Opportunity Ventures to Advance Agentic AI Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

Manta, an innovative AI platform based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, announced a significant $2 million investment from Equal Opportunity Ventures. This partnership marks a pivotal advancement in the development of agentic AI technologies that autonomously clean, explore, and analyze data to generate actionable insights. The initiative strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to quality education (SDG 4), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9).

Agentic AI and Democratization of Data Science

Manta’s platform revolutionizes data science accessibility by enabling organizations—from local governments to national nonprofits—to perform sophisticated data analysis without the need for extensive analytics teams. This capability promotes inclusive innovation and supports SDG 10 by reducing barriers to data-driven decision-making.

• Provides rapid, defensible answers to complex questions within minutes
• Eliminates the need for costly, specialized analytics personnel
• Empowers public-serving organizations to make smarter, faster decisions

Investment Impact and Alignment with SDGs

Michelle Rhee, Managing Partner at Equal Opportunity Ventures, emphasized the transformative potential of Manta’s technology in reshaping data accessibility. The investment aligns with the fund’s mission to enhance economic mobility and supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by fostering equitable access to technological tools.

1. Economic Mobility: Backing technologies that enable underserved communities to participate in data-driven innovation.
2. Inclusive Innovation: Supporting platforms that democratize access to advanced analytics.
3. Public Sector Empowerment: Facilitating better decision-making in organizations serving the public interest.

Statements from Leadership

Pawel Balon, Head of AI at Manta, highlighted the platform’s role in overcoming exclusion in data science, reinforcing SDG 10 by promoting equality in access to analytical resources. The support from Equal Opportunity Ventures is expected to accelerate the deployment of this technology to those who need it most.

About Manta

Manta is a next-generation AI platform designed to enable rigorous, real-time data analysis without requiring a dedicated data science team. Developed by engineers and researchers committed to breaking down barriers in analytics, Manta empowers users to ask complex questions and receive clear, trustworthy answers swiftly.

For more information, visit www.joinmanta.ai.

About Equal Opportunity Ventures

Equal Opportunity Ventures invests in companies creating transformative tools aimed at building a fairer future. Their portfolio focuses on technology, data infrastructure, and platforms that expand participation and benefits across diverse communities, with a special emphasis on advancing economic mobility for historically underserved populations. This mission directly supports SDG 10 and SDG 8 by fostering inclusive growth and reducing inequalities.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article discusses increasing economic mobility and supporting public-serving organizations to make smarter decisions, which aligns with promoting sustained, inclusive economic growth and productive employment.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Manta’s AI platform represents innovation in data science technology, democratizing access to advanced analytics and fostering resilient infrastructure.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The focus on democratizing data science and expanding access to underserved communities addresses reducing inequalities within and among countries.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The partnership between Manta and Equal Opportunity Ventures exemplifies collaboration to mobilize resources and technology for sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 8
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.
2. SDG 9
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors, especially in developing countries.
   • Target 9.b: Support domestic technology development, research and innovation.
3. SDG 10
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
4. SDG 17
   • Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation.
   • Target 17.7: Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 8
   • Proportion of youth and adults with information and communications technology (ICT) skills, including data science skills, relevant to employment.
   • Number of organizations or public-serving entities adopting AI tools to improve decision-making efficiency.
2. Indicator for SDG 9
   • Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP.
   • Number of innovations or AI platforms developed and deployed in underserved sectors.
3. Indicator for SDG 10
   • Level of access to advanced data science tools among historically underserved communities.
   • Measures of economic mobility improvements in communities benefiting from such technologies.
4. Indicator for SDG 17
   • Number and scale of partnerships between technology firms and investment ventures aimed at inclusive innovation.
   • Amount of funding mobilized for technology development targeting underserved populations.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: citybiz.co