![\"Cares\"](\"https:\/\/www.funded.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/NEWS-Cares.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\nManta Cares, a San Francisco, CA-based in a move set to radically transform how patients navigate one of life\u2019s most challenging experiences, digital health startup Manta Cares has officially launched its free cancer care navigation platform.<\/p>\n
Manta Cares was funded $5.4 million led by Pear VC and Sozo Ventures with participation from 1843 Capital and strategic angel investors<\/a> including Dr. Stanley Marks, Chair of UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, is earmarked to scale the platform and expand its reach across additional cancer types.<\/p>\n Manta Cares, founded by breast cancer survivor and entrepreneur Samira Daswani, was born from a stark personal reality: facing a disease is one battle; navigating the fragmented healthcare system is another.<\/p>\n \u201cNavigating cancer felt like a treacherous hike where you don\u2019t get access to a map, the right tools, or the right guides,\u201d explains Daswani. She notes that while information is abundant, the real challenge lies in distinguishing the \u201cright from wrong, appropriate from inappropriate, relevant from irrelevant.\u201d<\/p>\n What makes Manta Cares unique is its centerpiece: The Map<\/strong>. This proprietary, interactive tool offers a visual representation\u2014often likened to a subway system\u2014that charts the 300-500 critical decisions<\/strong> a patient faces, from the first suspicion through treatment and survivorship.<\/p>\n Each \u201cstation\u201d on the map connects the user to evidence-based resources<\/strong>, practical digital tools, and crucial support services. The platform is designed to bring structure, clarity, and confidence<\/strong> to a journey that often feels chaotic.<\/p>\n Key features of the free, HIPAA-compliant platform include:<\/p>\n The necessity of this structured approach is highlighted by a sobering statistic Daswani shared: pharmaceutical companies invest tens of thousands of dollars per patient annually in copay assistance programs, yet less than 3% of eligible patients know these programs exist<\/strong>. Manta aims to connect patients with these and other financial support services precisely when they are most needed.<\/p>\n Manta Cares emphasizes an ecosystem approach that goes beyond just the patient experience, aiming to redesign the cancer care landscape itself. This mission is validated by its existing partnerships with eight health systems, including Stanford, three of the top 15 pharmaceutical manufacturers, and 40 patient advocacy groups.<\/p>\n The company\u2019s commitment to being \u201cshamelessly patient-first\u201d is non-negotiable, according to Daswani, noting the company has turned down lucrative deals that didn\u2019t align with that standard. Revenue is generated through partnerships that genuinely benefit patients, ensuring the core navigation platform remains free for patients and their care partners.<\/p>\n The platform is gaining traction within clinical circles as well. Dr. Doug Blayney, Manta\u2019s Chief Medical Officer, former President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and a clinician with four decades of experience, ensures the platform\u2019s clinical validity.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not here to replace care teams\u2014we\u2019re here to complement and support them,\u201d says Dr. Blayney. Clinicians report that patient appointments are significantly improved when patients arrive prepared using Manta\u2019s tools, adding structure and focus to the typically brief 10-minute doctor\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n Manta Cares emphasizes an ecosystem approach that goes beyond just the patient experience, aiming to redesign the cancer care landscape itself. This mission is validated by its existing partnerships with eight health systems, including Stanford, three of the top 15 pharmaceutical manufacturers, and 40 patient advocacy groups.<\/p>\n The company\u2019s commitment to being \u201cshamelessly patient-first\u201d is non-negotiable, according to Daswani, noting the company has turned down lucrative deals that didn\u2019t align with that standard. Revenue is generated through partnerships that genuinely benefit patients, ensuring the core navigation platform remains free for patients and their care partners.<\/p>\n The platform is gaining traction within clinical circles as well. Dr. Doug Blayney, Manta\u2019s Chief Medical Officer, former President of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), and a clinician with four decades of experience, ensures the platform\u2019s clinical validity.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not here to replace care teams\u2014we\u2019re here to complement and support them,\u201d says Dr. Blayney. Clinicians report that patient appointments are significantly improved when patients arrive prepared using Manta\u2019s tools, adding structure and focus to the typically brief 10-minute doctor\u2019s visit.<\/p>\n By: K. Tagura<\/p>\n Who we are:\u00a0Funded.com<\/a>\u00a0is a platform that is A+ BBB accredited over 10+ years. Access our network of Angel Investors, Venture Capital or Lenders. Let us professionally write your\u00a0Business Plan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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