Maana

CEO: Babur Ozden

Maana develops what it calls "knowledge-centric" data search and discovery software. The Maana Knowledge Platform collects data from multiple disparate systems or "silos" and turns it into operational insight that can be used by line-of-business applications.

At the core of the Maana system is the startup's patented Knowledge Graph technology and algorithms that provide a holistic view of the assets or processes that a business wants to optimize. The company's more immediate focus has been on industrial applications and customers in the oil and gas industry – the startup's biggest investors are energy companies including Shell, Chevron and Saudi Aramco.

Founded in 2012 and based in Palo Alto, Calif., Maana was recently named one of the World Economic Forum's technology pioneers.