Residency

Frequently Asked Questions

• How much does The Engine's Residency program cost?

  The cost of The Engine’s Residency program depends on the specific space, resources, and support a company requires. Resident companies pay a monthly fee that covers access to shared or private laboratory space and prototyping facilities, office space, specialized equipment, and operational support. Pricing is designed to be affordable for early-stage Tough Tech companies while providing access to infrastructure that would be prohibitively expensive for early-stage companies to build independently.

  Residency grants are available to subsidize the costs of Residency for teams with limited funding or on a time-bounded basis for teams between fundraising rounds. Material discounts are also available to alumni of The Engine’s programs, including Blueprint by The Engine™, Whiteboard by The Engine™, and programs run by our partners at Activate. To see if your company qualifies for a Residency grant, apply for Residency.
  

• What are the eligibility requirements to qualify for The Engine’s Residency program?

  The Engine’s Residency program is open to early-stage Tough Tech companies that are working to bring breakthrough science and engineering from the lab to the market. Applicants must demonstrate a strong technical foundation and alignment with Tough Tech sectors such as climate tech, biotech, space tech or advanced manufacturing (a full list of Tough Tech sectors can be found on the Resident companies page). Selection is competitive and based on the company’s potential for significant societal and environmental impact, the expertise of the team, the novelty and feasibility of the technology, and the fit with The Engine’s facilities and community.

  If you are looking for a space to de-risk and scale your breakthrough technology, let’s talk.

  
  

• What are the different options for Residency at The Engine?

  The Engine offers flexible Residency options to accommodate different stages of company growth. Residency agreements can be tailored to a company’s evolving needs, allowing for expansion as teams grow and technical requirements change. Whether you need access to wet labs, prototyping labs, a curated community to support your journey as a startup, or flexible, as-needed access to office space, The Engine can accommodate. See the chart on our Residency options page for more details.

  
  

  
  

• Do I need to be funded by Engine Ventures to join The Engine's Residency program?

  No — companies do not need to receive funding from Engine Ventures to participate in The Engine’s Residency program. While some Resident companies are also Engine Ventures portfolio companies, many are not. Residency at The Engine is open to anyone in the Tough Tech community that needs wet lab, office, or fabrication space. Tough Tech is defined as transformational science and engineering that solves the world’s most important challenges. If you are unsure if this description fits your company, please fill out the Residency application form here and we will reach out to you to discuss.

• Do I need to be affiliated with MIT to join The Engine’s Residency program?

  No — The Engine’s Residency program is open to Tough Tech companies from anywhere, regardless of MIT affiliation. While The Engine was founded by MIT, it operates as an independent entity and supports companies from across the United States and internationally.
  

• What is the minimum Residency term for a company at The Engine?

  The majority of membership options are month-to-month contracts to give your team the flexibility you need to scale on your timeline. Residency terms are flexible and there is no term limit to a team’s Residency at The Engine.

• What are The Engine’s hours of operation for Resident companies?

  Our facilities are open 24 hours a day to all Residents. Operational support staff, including the front desk, will be staffed 8AM–5PM Monday through Friday to provide support, coordinate deliveries, and manage visitor access.

• Can Resident companies bring visitors into The Engine’s building?

  Yes, Resident companies may bring visitors to The Engine by following the visitor registration process. All visitors must check in at the front desk, comply with safety protocols, and be accompanied by their host while on site. In addition, the building was designed with an abundance of meeting space on the 1st floor in order to limit how many visitors come upstairs.

• Can I host an event at The Engine if I’m not a Resident?

  You do not need to be a member of our community to rent the event space. If you are interested in hosting an event at The Engine, browse our available event spaces at engine.xyz/host-an-event.
  

• Can international Tough Tech companies apply to The Engine’s Residency program?

  Yes — international companies are welcome to apply. The Engine has supported Resident companies from around the world, though companies are responsible for securing any necessary visas or work authorizations for their team members.
  

• Where is The Engine located and what transportation options are nearby?

  The Engine is located at 750 Main St. in Cambridge, Massachusetts, near MIT between Central Square and Kendall Square. The facility is accessible by public transit, including the MBTA Red Line, and is within walking distance of bus stops, bike-share stations, and parking options.
  

• What types of Tough Tech companies are best suited for The Engine’s Residency program?

  The Engine is best suited for companies developing breakthrough science and engineering solutions with the potential for transformative social and environmental impact in sectors like energy, biotech, robotics, space, quantum computing, applied AI & ML, advanced manufacturing, food and agriculture, and advanced materials. For a full list of Tough Tech sectors and examples of Resident companies that embody them, see our Resident companies page.

• Does The Engine offer mentorship or business support as part of Residency?

  Yes — The Engine provides Resident companies with access to a network of experts, mentors, and partners across technical, business, and regulatory domains. Residents can also participate in programming such as monthly workshops, networking events, and courses like Management 101 and Government 101. Learn more about programming for Resident here.

• Can companies in The Engine’s Residency program access funding opportunities?

  Yes — while Residency itself does not include investment, Resident companies gain access to The Engine’s curated network of Tough Tech investors. The Engine also helps connect Resident companies to grant opportunities, corporate partnerships, and other non-dilutive capital sources.