ANN ARBOR – Artificial intelligence is transforming industries from manufacturing and finance to human healthcare. Now an Ann Arbor startup believes veterinary medicine is poised for its own AI revolution.

Founded just 18 months ago by entrepreneur Jonathan Lightning Rayos, Manu Inc. is developing what he describes as a connected digital ecosystem that brings together veterinarians, pet owners, artificial intelligence and wearable technology to improve animal health. Rather than creating another standalone software application, the company is building a platform designed to connect every participant in the veterinary care process.

“Our vision is to create a single place where clinicians and pet owners can come together so animal healthcare becomes smarter, faster and more humane,” Rayos said during a recent interview with MITech TV.

Unlike many technology startups that begin by raising venture capital, Rayos said Manu has been entirely bootstrapped since its founding. Working from Ann Arbor, he has spent the past year and a half building the company’s technology platform while assembling an advisory board composed of five experienced veterinarians to ensure every product addresses real clinical needs.

Three Products, One Connected Ecosystem

Manu’s platform consists of three integrated components designed to share information rather than operate independently.

The first is a browser-based application available today that allows pet owners to organize and monitor their companion animals’ health information in one location. The goal is to make it easier for owners to track medical history, vaccinations, medications and other important health information throughout a pet’s life.

The second component is ManuCare, an AI-powered clinical platform currently undergoing beta testing at approximately six veterinary practices. The browser-based dashboard uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to help veterinarians organize patient information, analyze clinical data and streamline everyday workflows.

Instead of replacing veterinary professionals, Rayos said the platform is designed to reduce administrative work while giving clinicians faster access to information that can support medical decision-making.

“We’re building tools that help veterinarians spend more time caring for patients and less time searching for information,” he said.

The third component, scheduled for release later this year is ManuGuard, a clinical-grade wearable device designed for companion animals. The biometric wearable will continuously monitor health indicators and transmit that information into the Manu platform, potentially allowing veterinarians and pet owners to identify developing health issues sooner than traditional office visits alone.

A Different Business Model

Rayos believes veterinary practices have long been underserved by expensive software systems that often require significant subscription commitments.

To address that challenge, Manu operates as an open-core, usage-based platform intended to lower adoption costs for veterinary clinics while giving practices flexibility as they grow.

The company also operates as a Public Benefit Corporation, reflecting its dual mission of building a sustainable business while improving animal healthcare outcomes.

As a PBC, Manu has written its mission into its DNA, Rayos says. “We are legally bound to prioritize animal welfare and the health of the veterinary community alongside our financial growth.”

Royos says ManuCare is the first modular, interoperable Practice Intelligence Management System — clinical AI, practice management, and owner engagement in one adaptive loop. The Open-core and modular platform sets Manu apart from any PIMS in the industry.

“AI is pay-per-use or there are selective tiers based on the size of your practice,” he says.

Built With Veterinarians, Not Just Engineers

One of Manu’s distinguishing characteristics is the involvement of veterinary professionals throughout product development.

Its advisory board includes five veterinarians who provide ongoing clinical guidance, helping ensure new AI features solve real-world problems encountered inside veterinary practices rather than theoretical technology challenges.

That collaboration, Rayos said, is essential as artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into professional healthcare settings.

Why Veterinary Medicine May Be Ready For AI

While artificial intelligence has rapidly gained traction in hospitals, manufacturing plants and financial institutions, veterinary medicine has generally adopted digital technologies more slowly.

Rayos believes that is beginning to change.

Growing pet ownership, increasing medical complexity, expanding clinical knowledge and continued staffing shortages have created an opportunity for AI tools that help veterinarians work more efficiently while improving communication with pet owners.

Rather than replacing professional judgment, he envisions AI serving as an intelligent assistant that helps organize information, identify trends and support clinical decisions.

An Ann Arbor Startup With National Ambitions

Although still in its early stages, Manu reflects another example of Michigan startups applying artificial intelligence to solve highly specialized business problems.

Instead of building a general-purpose AI platform, the company has focused exclusively on veterinary medicine—an emerging category often described as “vertical AI,” in which artificial intelligence is designed for a specific profession or industry.

Rayos believes the long-term opportunity extends well beyond software.

His vision is a connected animal health network in which pet owners, veterinarians, AI-powered analytics and wearable biometric devices continuously share information, creating earlier insights into developing health conditions and enabling more proactive care.

If successful, that ecosystem could fundamentally change how companion animals are monitored, diagnosed and treated, while giving veterinarians better tools to deliver care and pet owners greater confidence in managing their animals’ health.

For now, Rayos says the focus remains on refining the platform through real-world clinical testing while continuing to expand Manu’s technology ecosystem from its Ann Arbor headquarters.

Learn more at https://www.manu-inc.com/about/mission