Frequently Asked Questions

• How does The Engine connect investors with Tough Tech companies?

  The Engine connects investors with Resident Tough Tech companies through direct introductions and structured investor-focused events. These curated connections give investors early access to high-potential startups working to commercialize transformative scientific and engineering breakthroughs.

  
  Learn more about investor opportunities at The Engine.

• Is The Engine the same organization as Engine Ventures?

  No. The Engine and Engine Ventures have been separate entities since 2024.

  • The Engine is a nonprofit incubator and accelerator that provides Tough Tech companies with critical infrastructure, programs, resources, and community.

  • Engine Ventures is an independent venture capital firm that invests in Tough Tech companies.

  Companies do not need to be funded by Engine Ventures to join The Engine’s Residency program.

  Learn more about Engine Ventures on their website here.
  

• Does The Engine invest in Resident companies?

  No. The Engine itself does not invest in companies. Instead, it connects Resident startups with a curated network of investors who understand the needs of Tough Tech founders. Engine Ventures, a separate entity partnered with The Engine, may choose to invest in some companies, but participation in The Engine’s programs does not require Engine Ventures' funding.

• What types of investors does The Engine work with?

  The Engine partners with a diverse network of investors interested in advancing Tough Tech. This includes venture capital firms, corporate venture arms, private equity investors, family offices, philanthropic funds, and strategic industry investors focused on commercializing breakthrough science and engineering.

• How can investors learn more about the companies in The Engine’s Residency program?

  Investors are welcome to explore The Engine’s directory of Resident companies. Investors can explore opportunities to meet companies at investor-focused events or request curated introductions from The Engine’s team. If you’re interested in meeting with a Resident company at The Engine, get in touch.

• Does The Engine host private investor meetings with resident companies?

  Yes. The Engine facilitates one-on-one or small-group meetings for investors who want to learn more about specific companies, technologies, or markets. VC partners host monthly information sessions at The Engine which lead to significant deal flow as well.

• How can investors join The Engine’s investor network?

  Investors can contact The Engine’s team to express interest, share their investment focus areas, and be considered for invitations to relevant events and introductions.

• What benefits do investors gain from partnering with The Engine?

  Investors gain early access to emerging Tough Tech companies, insight into frontier markets, and opportunities to build relationships with entrepreneurs working on transformative solutions.

• Does The Engine introduce investors to companies that are fundraising?

  Yes. The Engine actively connects qualified investors with resident companies that are seeking funding, ensuring strong alignment between a company’s stage, sector, and an investor’s priorities.

• How does The Engine curate investor introductions for resident companies?

  The Engine matches companies and investors based on shared areas of interest, development stage, market potential, and strategic fit, ensuring productive conversations for both sides.

• What sectors do companies in The Engine’s Residency program typically work in?

  Resident companies at The Engine work across a wide range of Tough Tech sectors. These include climate and energy, advanced manufacturing, human health, infrastructure, aerospace, and agriculture – areas where deep science and engineering create outsized impact.

  To see Resident companies organized by sector, visit our Resident companies page.

• Does The Engine work with both venture capital firms and corporate investors?

  Yes, The Engine engages with a broad range of investors, from early-stage venture capital firms to corporate research and development teams seeking strategic partnerships.

• Can international investors connect with companies at The Engine?

  Yes. The Engine welcomes collaboration with investors worldwide, provided there is a strong alignment with the mission of advancing Tough Tech from lab to market.
  

• What makes investing in Tough Tech companies different from other sectors?

  Tough Tech often involves longer development timelines, higher technical complexity, and greater infrastructure needs than software-based startups. However, the potential societal and market impact is transformative.

• What makes The Engine’s investor network unique?

  The Engine’s investor network focuses exclusively on investors interested in funding companies that tackle the world’s most challenging problems through deep science and engineering, offering investors access to opportunities rarely found in traditional venture pipelines.