Disclosed are: a functional material release agent including 35% to 95% by mass of the silicate ester compound represented by formula (1) and 0% to 40% by mass of the silicate ester compound represented by formula (2); a method for manufacturing the release agent; and compositions containing the release agent. (In the formula, R1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group with a total of 4 to 22 carbon atoms, that may contain a phenyl group, a hydroxyl group, or an alkoxy group as a substituent; R2 is the residue of functional alcohol minus one hydroxyl group; and R3 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group with one to six carbon atoms).