In October 2023, TCW acquired the entire ETF business and infrastructure from Engine No. 1.

Plenty of founders have a difficult decision to make early in their journey: where to set up shop.For deep tech founders, the decision is complicated by the fact that they typically need more from their space. Some might need lab benches, others might require massive amounts of electricity, and still others might need room for large equipment. It’s not as easy as signing up for a desk at a nearby co-working space.In the past, deep tech founders often had to go it alone; there wasn’t much in the way of assistance as they migrated out of their academic labs and into the startup world. Today, though, there are a wealth of options, including The Engine Accelerator, SOSV’s Hax and IndieBio programs, and the Regional Innovation Engines that were recently announced by the National Science Foundation.Founders no longer have to do it all themselves. Rather, the challenge is figuring out which startup program will be the best fit.Emily Knight, president of The Engine Accelerator, spoke at TechCrunch Early Stage in Boston about how founders should evaluate their options.The first thing they should look for is an organization that has “patient resources and patient capital,” she said. Given that deep tech tends to take a long time to de-risk and bring to market, the timelines tend to be longer.After that, “early startups needed to ask the question, if the technology works, and let’s assume it does, what else do we have to think about?” Knight said

Waymaker will partner with ten selected universities, nonprofits and business organizations across the USDALLAS, April 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Waymaker Group, a full-service technology-based economic development (TBED) firm focused on jumpstarting innovation ecosystems in emerging cities, today announced its partnership with Massachusetts Institute of Technology's The Engine Accelerator to support The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).NSF has committed to a three-year funding plan for The Engine Accelerator, investing $9.5 million. This investment will enable The Engine Accelerator to create and manage the NSF Regional Innovation Engines Builder Platform. Waymaker Group will collaborate with The Engine as the operational and services partner, and provide NSF's awardees with education, resources and extensive support services."Waymaker Group has been catalyzing growth for mid-market cities, driving innovation economies, and championing economic equity across America for over a decade," says Waymaker Founder and CEO, Julie Huls. "Our strategic partnership will help awardees plan the buildout of their projects, source future funding, and most of all, enable proven technology growth strategies in the awarded regions. We are excited to get our boots on the ground and work closely with the awardees""Over the last seven years, The Engine has helped build the Tough Tech ecosystem from an idea to a vibrant community supporting teams taking on the biggest challenges facing society