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Engine Ventures

Invests in tough-tech industrial startups

Website

Overview

Engine Ventures funds and partners with founders tackling hard, world-scale challenges using breakthrough technology, focusing on the next generation of industrial systems. It supports teams from early scientific validation through manufacturing, deployment, and scale by pairing disciplined investing with deep technical insight and long-term commitment. The firm differentiates itself through its emphasis on Tough Tech, close collaboration, and guidance across the entire lifecycle rather than quick exits. Its goal is to back technologies that solve critical global problems and move industrial innovations from idea to large-scale real-world use.

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About Engine Ventures

Simplify's Rating
Why Engine Ventures is rated
B
Rated A on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated C on Differentiation

Industries

Robotics & AutomationVenture CapitalIndustrial & Manufacturing

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

$2.7B

Headquarters

Cambridge, MA

Founded

2017

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What believers are saying

  • Michelle Daubar joined September 23, 2026, strengthening institutional fundraising and LP retention.
  • Engine co-led CorePower’s $10.6 million round on September 17, 2026, showing active deployment.
  • Form Energy’s August 2026 $750 million raise and VEIR’s October 2026 $110 million validate the platform.

What critics are saying

  • The rumored $500 million Scale-Up Fund makes 2027 fundraising a make-or-break test.
  • CorePower, Form Energy, and VEIR require huge follow-on capital before revenues stabilize.
  • If flagship fusion, battery, or power startups slip, Engine loses LP trust and deal access.

What makes Engine Ventures unique

  • MIT-born platform spans lab validation to industrial scale across tough tech sectors.
  • Katie Rae’s team pairs technical diligence with academic, commercial, and governmental access.
  • Celestial AI’s Marvell exit and more than $11 billion portfolio capital prove winner selection.

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Funding

Total Funding

$2.7B

Above

Industry Average

Funded Over

0 Rounds

Company News

City of Yokohama
Oct 30th, 2026
City of Yokohama promotes startup expansion to Japan at Boston Hard Tech Summit.

City of Yokohama promotes startup expansion to Japan at Boston Hard Tech Summit. On Monday, October 26, 2026, the Office of the City of Yokohama Representative to the Americas participated in the Boston Hard Tech Summit, held in Somerville, Massachusetts, during the opening day of Tough Tech Week 2026. The event brought together startups, investors, researchers, and industry leaders to explore emerging technologies and promote collaboration across the deep tech ecosystem. Organized by Campus Deep Tech and MassVentures, in collaboration with SOSV, Engine Ventures, and Sumitomo Heavy Industries, the summit focused on cutting-edge technologies across physical AI, robotics, nanotechnology, advanced materials, quantum technologies, climate tech, and energy. The City of Yokohama hosted an exhibition table at the event, introducing attendees to the city's initiatives supporting international startups interested in entering the Japanese market. The office shared information about Yokohama's business environment, available support programs, and opportunities for collaboration with Japanese companies. This included introducing the city's efforts to connect overseas startups with potential business partners and support their expansion into Japan. One such initiative is the Yokohama Matching Program, which helps international startups explore business opportunities in Japan through corporate matching, proof-of-concept (PoC) support, and connections with Yokohama's innovation ecosystem. This year, the Yokohama Matching Program received 76 applications, and has since selected one startup, Filium Corp., to move forward. The summit's program featured expert panels, startup and researcher presentations, and reverse pitches in which investors and industry representatives introduced technology needs and opportunities for collaboration. Featured speakers, panelists, and judges represented organizations including NVIDIA, SOSV/HAX, Engine Ventures, Greentown Labs, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and other major players in the deep tech sector. The City of Yokohama also had the opportunity to meet with many of these representatives, and others, in order to discuss the future of connecting the U.S. and Japanese startup ecosystems. The event also provided an opportunity for the office to connect directly with startups, researchers, and investors developing innovative technologies, exchange information on potential business opportunities in Japan, and establish connections for future collaboration. The office would like to thank Malcolm Biggins and Jesse Gray for the invitation to participate, as well as Campus Deep Tech, MassVentures, and the other organizers for bringing together such a diverse group of innovators. Relationships like these are what allows Yokohama to continue its mission in expanding collaboration between U.S. and Japanese startups. Building on the connections made at the Boston Hard Tech Summit, the Office of the City of Yokohama Representative to the Americas will continue strengthening relationships with the U.S. startup and investment communities, promoting cross-border business collaboration, and supporting international companies interested in expanding their operations to Yokohama.

Business Wire
Oct 27th, 2026
VEIR Raises $110 Million Series C to Accelerate Commercialization of Superconducting Power Delivery Technology for AI Data Centers

VEIR, the U.S.-based superconducting power delivery leader for AI data centers, announced the closing of a $110 million Series C financing round.

Business Wire
Oct 16th, 2026
CorePower Magnetics Secures $10.6M to Address a Critical Bottleneck in AI, Grid, and Electrification Infrastructure

CorePower Magnetics, a developer and manufacturer of advanced magnetic components for power electronics, today announced it has raised $10.6 million in an eq...

VentureBeat
Sep 23rd, 2026
Michelle Daubar joins Engine Ventures as Partner, Head of Investor Relations & Capital Formation.

Michelle Daubar joins Engine Ventures as Partner, Head of Investor Relations & Capital Formation. 5:15 am, PT, September 23, 2026 Private markets veteran brings more than 20 years of experience to Tough Tech venture firm CAMBRIDGE, Mass.-(BUSINESS WIRE)-September 23, 2026- Engine Ventures today announced that Michelle Daubar has joined the firm as Partner, Head of Investor Relations & Capital Formation. Daubar will lead the firm's institutional investor relationships and capital formation strategy as Engine Ventures continues to build the capital base required to bring breakthrough science from the lab to market. Michelle Daubar Born out of MIT nearly ten years ago, Engine Ventures is a venture capital firm backing Tough Tech. The firm invests globally in companies commercializing technological breakthroughs redefining the ways we build, heal, move, connect, and power the world. Across its investment strategies, Engine Ventures partners with companies at multiple stages of growth, from early technical validation through commercialization and industrial scale. Beyond capital, the firm offers operational expertise and a powerful academic, commercial, and governmental network to build and scale companies that unlock massive opportunities in foundational industries. Its portfolio includes companies such as Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Form Energy, Bexorg, and Celestial AI, which was acquired by Marvell Technology earlier this year. Daubar joins Engine Ventures from Oak HC/FT, where she led Investor Relations and Capital Formation. Over an 11-year tenure, she helped Oak raise multiple funds, developed and expanded the firm's institutional investor base, and oversaw its marketing, communications, and public relations strategy. Previously, Daubar served as Vice President of Investor Relations & Communications at General Catalyst and earlier held investor relations and marketing roles at Lighthouse Capital Partners and in the Private Equity group at Standard Life Investments. "Michelle has spent two decades earning the trust of institutional investors and building partnerships that last across cycles," said Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner of Engine Ventures. "She knows how much relationships matter, from founders all the way to LPs, and shares our ambition for what these partnerships can build. She's a perfect fit for our team." "What drew me to Engine Ventures was the combination of an extraordinary team and extensive academic network, a truly differentiated investment strategy, and a mission that matters," said Daubar. "The opportunity ahead in Tough Tech is enormous, and I am excited to work alongside Katie Rae and the broader Engine Ventures team to deepen our partnerships with existing LPs and introduce a new group of investors to what Engine Ventures is building." Daubar was named to Kayo's 2025 Top 25 Women in Private Equity Funds list and is a member of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN). About Engine Ventures Engine Ventures manages more than $1 billion in assets, has invested in more than 70 companies, and its portfolio companies have raised more than $11 billion in capital. The firm is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Learn more at engineventures.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

Trener
Sep 22nd, 2026
Trener Robotics raises $32M Series A to bring Physical AI and software-defined control to industrial automation – Trener Robotics

The fresh capital will scale deployment of Acteris, an agentic AI platform that transforms industrial robots into intelligent, self-learning teammates

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