Manufact Raises $6.3M as MCP Becomes 'USB-C for AI'

Startup Manufact has raised $6.3 million in funding as its creation, the Model Context Protocol (MCP), gains rapid adoption as a universal standard for AI connectivity. Dubbed the "USB-C for AI," MCP provides a common framework for connecting AI applications—like ChatGPT and Claude—to external data sources, APIs, and tools. Before MCP, each AI agent or application might require custom, brittle integrations to access databases, software, or real-time information. MCP standardizes this communication, allowing developers to build a single "server" for a data source that any MCP-compliant AI "client" can use. This seamless interoperability is crucial for the development of powerful, context-aware AI agents that can perform real-world tasks. The protocol's traction, evidenced by its integration into major platforms, and the successful funding round highlight the industry's pressing need for standardized infrastructure to unlock the next wave of practical, tool-using AI applications.