Markster MCP Server

---
id: brief-pietro-zullo
title: "Networking Brief — Pietro Zullo (Manufact CEO, Host)"
type: brief
status: final
owner: ivan
created: 2026-02-21
updated: 2026-02-21
tags: [hackathon, networking, host]
---

# Pietro Zullo — Networking Brief

**Role:** Founder & CEO, Manufact (Hackathon Host)
**Twitter:** [@pietrozullo](https://x.com/pietrozullo) | **LinkedIn:** [pietro](https://www.linkedin.com/in/pietro/)
**Company:** [manufact.dev](https://manufact.dev) / mcp-use SDK
**Co-founder:** Luigi Pederzani

---

## Background

- **ETH Zurich** — MSc (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology)
- **Manufact** — Founded the company building MCP infrastructure
- **mcp-use SDK** — Open source SDK for building and deploying MCP apps
- **$6.3M Seed** — Closed February 13, 2026 (just days ago). YC-backed.
- **Traction:** 5M+ SDK downloads (now 6M+), 9K+ GitHub stars, 20% of US Fortune 500 using framework
- **Notable user:** NASA uses mcp-use
- **Luigi Pederzani** — Co-founder. Technical background.

## What Manufact Does

- **mcp-use** — SDK + CLI for building MCP server apps that render UI inside Claude/ChatGPT
- **Manufact Cloud** — Hosting platform for MCP apps (`npx mcp-use deploy`)
- **Inspectors** — Debugging tools for MCP servers
- **Key feature:** `app.callServerTool()` — bidirectional communication between UI and server

## Why He Matters To Us

**Our entire demo runs on their platform.** We used `mcp-use` to build our MCP app and deploy to Manufact Cloud. We're a power user with 28 tools — one of the most complex apps on their platform.

## Quick Opener

> "Pietro, I'm Ivan from Markster. Thank you for hosting this — and for building mcp-use. We registered 28 production tools on your platform. You might have one of the most complex MCP apps in your ecosystem. We'd love to be a case study."

## What To Show Him

- The tool count (28 registered tools)
- The bidirectional slider (uses `app.callServerTool()` — his feature)
- The dark theme glassmorphism UI (shows what's possible with ext-apps)

## What To Discuss

- **Case study offer** — We'd be happy to be featured as a power user
- **Feedback** — We have real feedback on the SDK from building a complex app
- **Their seed round** — Congratulate on the $6.3M. Ask about growth plans.

## Luigi Pederzani (Co-founder)

- Technical co-founder
- If Pietro is busy, Luigi is equally valuable to connect with
- Same talking points apply

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_Priority: HIGH — Host. Our app runs on their platform. Thank them, offer case study._