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The Engine Privacy Policy

Last Updated: May 25, 2025

Welcome to the websites and online services operated by The Engine, a not-for profit incubator and accelerator built by MIT (collectively, “The Engine,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). This Privacy Policy applies to all websites, platforms, and online services operated by The Engine (including, but not limited to, our main website and any associated subdomains, collectively referred to as the “Site”), or to information that you provide to us through other means, and describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information when you visit the Site, participate in our programs, or otherwise engage with our community.

By using the Site, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the policy, please do not use the Site. Please also review our Terms of Service, which govern your use of the Site.

At The Engine, we recognize that trust is fundamental to our mission: supporting early-stage Tough Tech companies as they tackle the world’s most important challenges. We are committed to protecting your privacy and handling your personal information with care, transparency, and respect.

1. Who We Are

The Engine is a not-for-profit incubator and accelerator built by MIT to provide Tough Tech companies with the infrastructure, programs, and ecosystem they need to thrive. Our mission is to bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and real-world impact, supporting ambitious teams as they move from discovery to commercialization.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that helps us support your journey and improve our services. This may include:

  • Contact Information: Name, email address, and phone number.
  • Professional Information: Company or organization affiliation, job title, and professional background.
  • Application and Program Information: Details provided when you apply to or participate in our programs, including information about your technology or company.
  • Event Information: Data collected when you register for or attend events, workshops, or webinars.
  • Technical Information: Information collected automatically when you visit our website, such as IP address, MAC address, browser type, operating system, device information, and usage data.
  • Cookies: We may use “cookies” of different types to recognize your computer. A cookie is a small text file that a website, online application, or e-mail may save to your internet browser and/or your computer's hard drive for use in subsequent visits to the Site or other sites. We may use web beacons, match scripts, pixel tags, clear GIFs or similar technologies that allow us to know if a particular web page was visited, an e-mail opened, or links in the email utilized. In some instances, these technologies may allow us to match activities with particular users. We may combine the information we collect through cookies, web beacons, or other technology tools with other information we have collected from you or information from other sources.
  • Communication Information: Content of messages or inquiries you send to us.


3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Provide and administer our programs, services, and events.
  • Communicate with you about opportunities, updates, and resources.
  • Respond to your inquiries.
  • Notify you about updates to the Site.
  • Process applications and support your participation in The Engine’s offerings.
  • Improve our website, services, and user experience.
  • Ensure the security and integrity of our systems.
  • Comply with legal and regulatory obligations.

We may aggregate or anonymize data for reporting and analysis, always prioritizing your privacy.


4. Data Sharing and Disclosure

We may share your information with:

  • Service Providers: Trusted partners who help us operate our website, manage events, or deliver our programs. These service providers are prohibited from using personal information for any other purpose and are contractually required to comply with all applicable laws and requirements.
  • Affiliates and Collaborators: Organizations working with us to support the Tough Tech community.
  • Legal Authorities: When required by law or to protect our rights, safety, or property.

Your information is not sold to third parties for marketing purposes.


5. Data Security

We take reasonable and appropriate measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or loss. While no online system is completely secure, we are committed to safeguarding your data as part of our mission to build trust within the Tough Tech ecosystem.


6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy, or as required by law.


7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The Site uses “cookies,” which are small pieces of information stored by your browser or other application on your computer's browser or hard drive. The cookies are used to connect your computer with information stored about your online activity, searches and preferences both within the same website visit and from one visit to the next on the Site and/or other websites. Some examples of this data include your account preferences, user specific information on pages accessed, searched terms or addresses entered, and previous visits to the sites. We use both session ID cookies and persistent cookies. A session cookie expires when your browser is closed, and a persistent cookie may stay on your hard drive for an extended period. Session cookies make it easier for you to navigate our site; persistent cookies can perform such activities as storing your password for forums or blogs so you do not have to sign in every time you visit those areas, and/or may be used to enable us to track and target the interests of our users so as to enhance the overall experience of using our Site.

The “help” portion of the toolbar on most browsers will tell you how to prevent your browser from accepting new cookies, how to have the browser notify you when you receive new cookies or how to disable cookies altogether. If you reject cookies, you may not be able to participate in certain activities or receive a promotion tailored to you. The Site does not control and does not guarantee the effectiveness of browser-based tools for managing cookies.

We also use Google Analytics to monitor activity on the Site. To learn how Google Analytics collects and processes data, please visit: “How Google uses data when you use our partners’ sites or apps” located at www.google.com/policies/privacy/partners

We or our partners may also use Flash cookies (also known as Local Stored Objects) or other similar technologies. A Flash cookie is a small data file placed on a computer using Adobe Flash or similar technology that may be built into your computer or downloaded or installed by you to your computer. We use these technologies to personalize and enhance your online experience, facilitate processes, and personalize and store your settings. Flash cookies may help our website visitors to, for example, set volume preference associated with a video experience, play games and perform surveys. They help us improve our Site by measuring which areas are of greatest interest to users. They may be recognized by other sites or by our marketing or business partners. Flash cookies are different from browser cookies and the cookie management tools provided by your browser may not remove Flash cookies. Click here to learn how to manage privacy and storage settings for Flash cookies. If you disable Flash cookies or other similar technologies, please be aware that you may not have access to certain features and services that make your online experience more efficient and enjoyable.

We may also use web beacons, which are electronic images that may be used on our websites or in our emails. We use web beacons to deliver cookies, count visits, understand usage and campaign effectiveness and to tell if an email has been opened and acted upon.


8. Links to Other Websites

The Site may contain links to other sites that are not controlled in any way by us. Please be aware of this when you click on any such links; we are not responsible for the privacy practices and/or policies of any website other than our own. Consequently, we strongly suggest that you review the privacy policy of every website you visit, whether or not they are linked to by our own site.


9. Social Media

We maintain a social media presence, such as a Facebook page, an Instagram page and a Twitter feed. You can interact with us through social media, such as by entering our contests, posting content, sharing material from our Site, and using our social media plug-ins. When you interact with us using social media, we may receive information such as your user ID, your profile picture, photos you post, and similar information, which is often determined by your privacy settings at social media sites. We may use the information for the same types of purposes we describe throughout this privacy policy. Your use of social media sites is primarily governed by the site operators’ privacy policies and terms of service, and the information you share with us and with others is largely controlled by the privacy settings you have established at those sites.


10. Children’s Privacy

Under Age 13

Our Site is not specifically directed toward children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from persons under the age of 13 on our Site without verifiable parental consent. If we learn that a child under the age of 13 has submitted personally identifiable information online without parental consent, we will take all reasonable measures to delete such information from our databases and to not use such information for any purpose (except where necessary to protect the safety of the child or others as required or allowed by law). If you become aware of any personally identifiable information we have collected from children under 13, please contact us at hello@engine.xyz.


11. Do Not Track

Do Not Track (“DNT”) is a privacy preference that users can set in some web browsers, allowing users to opt out of tracking by websites and online services. At the present time, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) has not yet established universal standards for recognizable DNT signals and therefore, The Engine and the Site do not recognize DNT.


12. Your California Privacy Rights

California residents who provide personal information in obtaining products or services for personal, family, or household use are entitled to request and obtain from us once a calendar year information about the user information we shared with third parties for their own direct marketing purposes, including the categories of information and the names and addresses of those businesses with which we have shared such information. As discussed elsewhere in this privacy policy, we do not currently share the personal information of California residents with third parties for their own direct marketing purposes. However, if you have further questions about our privacy practices and compliance with California law, please contact us as explained below.


13. Policy Updates

We may update this policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted here with a revised “Last Updated” date. If we change the policy in a material and retroactive manner, we will provide appropriate notice to you.


14. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this policy or your personal information, please reach out to us at hello@engine.xyz. We are here to support you and the Tough Tech community.