The Engine

The Engine, established by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2016, is a venture firm focused on supporting early-stage companies that tackle significant global challenges through innovative science and engineering. The Engine prioritizes transformative ideas over immediate profitability, offering a streamlined system that accelerates the progression from concept to market. It provides a physical workspace for startups, along with essential resources such as business planning, legal assistance, and administrative support. The Engine also connects entrepreneurs with "patient capital" from like-minded investors, allowing startups to maintain greater control over their ventures. With plans to support up to 60 startups simultaneously over a 12-month period, The Engine aims to facilitate rapid development and validation of groundbreaking concepts. Additionally, it offers access to specialized equipment and lab space through the Engine Room, fostering a collaborative environment that nurtures innovation within the MIT community and beyond.

Orin Hoffman

Venture Partner

Lakshana Huddar

Associate

Ian Johnston

Senior Investment Associate

Michael Kearney

Principal and Partner

Past deals in Massachussets

Vaxess Technologies

Venture Round in 2023
Vaxess Technologies, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 2011. The company focuses on developing and commercializing innovative silk biomaterial technologies. Its key product, the MIMIX microneedle platform, facilitates the transdermal delivery of vaccines and therapeutics. This sustained release patch technology allows for a controlled release of vaccines, mimicking the natural infection process to enhance immune response and effectiveness. Vaxess's patch is engineered for stability, eliminating the need for refrigeration, which enables shipping and application in low-resource settings. In addition to its vaccine delivery systems, Vaxess is also engaged in creating novel therapies aimed at oncology care and infectious diseases, ultimately striving to improve patient outcomes with reduced treatment burdens.

Vaxess Technologies

Series B in 2023
Vaxess Technologies, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 2011. The company focuses on developing and commercializing innovative silk biomaterial technologies. Its key product, the MIMIX microneedle platform, facilitates the transdermal delivery of vaccines and therapeutics. This sustained release patch technology allows for a controlled release of vaccines, mimicking the natural infection process to enhance immune response and effectiveness. Vaxess's patch is engineered for stability, eliminating the need for refrigeration, which enables shipping and application in low-resource settings. In addition to its vaccine delivery systems, Vaxess is also engaged in creating novel therapies aimed at oncology care and infectious diseases, ultimately striving to improve patient outcomes with reduced treatment burdens.

Form Energy

Series E in 2022
Form Energy, Inc. specializes in the development of long-duration energy storage systems aimed at enhancing the reliability of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Founded in 2017 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company focuses on creating low-cost battery systems, including its innovative iron-air battery technology, which allows for energy storage over extended periods. This capability enables the dispatch of renewable energy throughout the year, effectively replacing traditional fossil fuel-based generation and contributing to the decarbonization of the electric grid. Additionally, Form Energy offers Formware, a capacity expansion software tool designed to optimize energy management. The company's technological advancements are rooted in research from MIT and are supported by various investors committed to sustainable energy solutions.

Sync Computing

Series A in 2022
Sync Computing Corp. is a developer and manufacturer of an optimization processing unit (OPU) that addresses complex combinatorial optimization problems across various industries, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, finance, and logistics. Founded in 2019 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company focuses on providing innovative optimization solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness in sectors that heavily rely on machine learning and data-driven decision-making. The OPU represents a unique approach by integrating optimization algorithms into hardware, allowing organizations to tackle significant societal challenges through advanced computational techniques.

Mori

Series B in 2022
Mori is a developer of an edible and natural biomaterial coating that extends the shelf life of perishable foods. It uses salt and water to extract the protein from natural silk and creates a protective layer that keeps food fresher for longer enabling it to economically and sustainably transform the food supply by developing and commercializing technologies for the food, agriculture, and packaging industries. It was founded in 2016 by Adam Behrens and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Quaise

Series A in 2022
Quaise is an energy company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative millimeter-wave drilling systems to access deep geothermal heat. Founded in 2018, the company aims to overcome geographic limitations that currently restrict the utilization of geothermal energy. By repurposing existing fossil-fuel industrial assets, Quaise's technology enables the drilling of geothermal wells directly at operational power plants, facilitating a smoother transition to cleaner energy sources. This approach allows mining companies to collectively generate terawatts of clean power, rivaling the output of fossil fuels while achieving zero carbon emissions.

Sync Computing

Seed Round in 2022
Sync Computing Corp. is a developer and manufacturer of an optimization processing unit (OPU) that addresses complex combinatorial optimization problems across various industries, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, finance, and logistics. Founded in 2019 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company focuses on providing innovative optimization solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness in sectors that heavily rely on machine learning and data-driven decision-making. The OPU represents a unique approach by integrating optimization algorithms into hardware, allowing organizations to tackle significant societal challenges through advanced computational techniques.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Series B in 2021
Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC is a research and development company focused on advancing fusion energy technology to provide an inexhaustible power source. Established in 2017 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes rare-earth barium copper oxide superconductor technology to create fusion energy systems. Commonwealth Fusion Systems was spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and collaborates with MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center to leverage decades of government-funded fusion research. By integrating established physics with innovative magnet technology, the company aims to accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy, positioning itself as a key player in the transition to clean and renewable energy sources while addressing climate change challenges.

Via Separations

Series B in 2021
Via Separations, Inc. is focused on developing innovative membrane-based products for industrial liquid separation in challenging environments. Founded in 2016 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company aims to address the significant energy waste in the chemical separation process, which accounts for 12% of U.S. energy consumption. By employing its advanced membrane technology, Via Separations can reduce energy use by up to 90% and enhance product output. Their highly selective and robust membrane filters replace traditional heat-based separation methods, contributing to industrial decarbonization efforts. The company is currently conducting pilot trials in pulp and paper facilities, with the goal of eliminating 100 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2050. Originating from MIT's Department of Material Science & Engineering, Via Separations has successfully scaled its technology and demonstrated working prototypes at a commercial level.

Form Energy

Series D in 2021
Form Energy, Inc. specializes in the development of long-duration energy storage systems aimed at enhancing the reliability of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Founded in 2017 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company focuses on creating low-cost battery systems, including its innovative iron-air battery technology, which allows for energy storage over extended periods. This capability enables the dispatch of renewable energy throughout the year, effectively replacing traditional fossil fuel-based generation and contributing to the decarbonization of the electric grid. Additionally, Form Energy offers Formware, a capacity expansion software tool designed to optimize energy management. The company's technological advancements are rooted in research from MIT and are supported by various investors committed to sustainable energy solutions.

Mori

Series B in 2021
Mori is a developer of an edible and natural biomaterial coating that extends the shelf life of perishable foods. It uses salt and water to extract the protein from natural silk and creates a protective layer that keeps food fresher for longer enabling it to economically and sustainably transform the food supply by developing and commercializing technologies for the food, agriculture, and packaging industries. It was founded in 2016 by Adam Behrens and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Boston Metal

Series B in 2021
Boston Metal is a metallurgy company focused on reducing the carbon footprint of steel production through its innovative Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) technology. Established in 2012 as a spin-off from MIT, the company has developed an industrial-scale solution that enables the efficient and cost-effective production of a diverse range of metals and alloys. Utilizing an electrolytic cell, Boston Metal processes raw iron ore to create ferroalloys, which are essential for producing various grades of steel. The company's advancements in MOE technology have resulted in a significant scaling of production capabilities, achieving a 1,000-fold increase and generating thousands of kilograms of metal. Headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, Boston Metal aims to provide a greener alternative for the metal industry by leveraging its unique process and a variety of feedstocks.

The Routing Company

Seed Round in 2020
The Routing Company is a technology firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, specializing in dynamic vehicle routing and management solutions for public transit. Founded in 2018 by MIT researchers and rideshare industry veterans, the company offers a platform that utilizes proprietary artificial intelligence to optimize shared ride services. Its primary product, the Pingo™ app, allows users to request rides on-demand or in advance, accommodating various operational modes including flex, fixed, and paratransit. By partnering with cities and transit agencies, The Routing Company aims to enhance transport equity, accessibility, cost efficiency, and sustainability in urban mobility. The firm also provides fleet management tools and analytics to support private fleets and demand-responsive transit initiatives.

Zapata Computing

Series B in 2020
Zapata Computing, Inc. is a quantum software company that specializes in developing computing solutions for various industries, including finance, healthcare, logistics, and pharmaceuticals. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an additional office in Toronto, the company offers Orquestra, a software platform that enables users to compose quantum workflows and execute them on both quantum and classical hardware. This platform facilitates simulations, optimizations, and machine learning applications, allowing for efficient management of complex tasks across different environments. As a spin-out from Harvard University, Zapata Computing leverages advanced computational techniques grounded in quantum physics to provide hardware-agnostic solutions tailored to enterprise organizations.

Form Energy

Series C in 2020
Form Energy, Inc. specializes in the development of long-duration energy storage systems aimed at enhancing the reliability of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Founded in 2017 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company focuses on creating low-cost battery systems, including its innovative iron-air battery technology, which allows for energy storage over extended periods. This capability enables the dispatch of renewable energy throughout the year, effectively replacing traditional fossil fuel-based generation and contributing to the decarbonization of the electric grid. Additionally, Form Energy offers Formware, a capacity expansion software tool designed to optimize energy management. The company's technological advancements are rooted in research from MIT and are supported by various investors committed to sustainable energy solutions.

WoHo

Seed Round in 2020
WoHo is a construction technology company founded in 2020 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It offers an innovative approach to building by assembling teams, networks, and systems that enhance the construction of low to high-rise structures with exceptional quality, precision, and efficiency. WoHo's platform integrates architecture, engineering, and construction, providing clients with sustainable and economical solutions for creating both working and living spaces. By streamlining these processes, WoHo delivers competitive alternatives in the construction industry, focusing on a holistic and integrated methodology.

Mori

Series A in 2020
Mori is a developer of an edible and natural biomaterial coating that extends the shelf life of perishable foods. It uses salt and water to extract the protein from natural silk and creates a protective layer that keeps food fresher for longer enabling it to economically and sustainably transform the food supply by developing and commercializing technologies for the food, agriculture, and packaging industries. It was founded in 2016 by Adam Behrens and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Quaise

Seed Round in 2020
Quaise is an energy company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative millimeter-wave drilling systems to access deep geothermal heat. Founded in 2018, the company aims to overcome geographic limitations that currently restrict the utilization of geothermal energy. By repurposing existing fossil-fuel industrial assets, Quaise's technology enables the drilling of geothermal wells directly at operational power plants, facilitating a smoother transition to cleaner energy sources. This approach allows mining companies to collectively generate terawatts of clean power, rivaling the output of fossil fuels while achieving zero carbon emissions.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Series A in 2020
Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC is a research and development company focused on advancing fusion energy technology to provide an inexhaustible power source. Established in 2017 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes rare-earth barium copper oxide superconductor technology to create fusion energy systems. Commonwealth Fusion Systems was spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and collaborates with MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center to leverage decades of government-funded fusion research. By integrating established physics with innovative magnet technology, the company aims to accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy, positioning itself as a key player in the transition to clean and renewable energy sources while addressing climate change challenges.

Biobot Analytics

Seed Round in 2020
Biobot Analytics, Inc. is a wastewater epidemiology company founded in 2017 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The company has developed technology that transforms wastewater infrastructure into public health observatories by analyzing urine and stool samples. This technology provides health data that is independent of hospital reporting systems and is adaptable to emerging public health threats. Biobot Analytics offers a proprietary tool that measures health risks such as infectious disease outbreaks, antibiotic resistance, and drug consumption patterns, including its Opioid Consumption Monitoring Program, which estimates drug use in urban areas through sewage analysis. By generating anonymized public health data, Biobot delivers actionable insights to government officials, enabling them to prioritize interventions and address public health challenges effectively.

Sync Computing

Seed Round in 2019
Sync Computing Corp. is a developer and manufacturer of an optimization processing unit (OPU) that addresses complex combinatorial optimization problems across various industries, including telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, finance, and logistics. Founded in 2019 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company focuses on providing innovative optimization solutions that enhance efficiency and effectiveness in sectors that heavily rely on machine learning and data-driven decision-making. The OPU represents a unique approach by integrating optimization algorithms into hardware, allowing organizations to tackle significant societal challenges through advanced computational techniques.

ISEE

Series A in 2019
ISEE, Inc. is an autonomous driving technology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 2016. The company specializes in developing artificial intelligence-driven software and hardware solutions for self-driving vehicles, with a focus on modernizing the global supply chain. ISEE's autonomous yard trucks are utilized by major clients, including Maersk and various Fortune 100 retailers, to enhance the automation of logistics hubs. The company's proprietary technology excels at predicting human behavior and managing risk, allowing for improved safety, cost efficiency, and consistent performance in yard operations. By enabling seamless and safe operation of autonomous machines, ISEE aims to transform the logistics and supply chain industries.

E25Bio

Seed Round in 2019
E25Bio Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, focused on developing rapid diagnostic tests for epidemic fever viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Founded in 2018, the company specializes in paper-based diagnostic systems that enable swift detection of viral antigens produced during infections. Its innovative platform allows for real-time data reporting through a mobile application, which captures results along with information on test timing and location. This approach aims to facilitate epidemiologic predictions and disease mapping, ultimately assisting governments and health organizations in managing outbreaks effectively and preventing public health crises. E25Bio's solutions are designed to provide affordable and timely diagnostics at the point of care.

Form Energy

Series B in 2019
Form Energy, Inc. specializes in the development of long-duration energy storage systems aimed at enhancing the reliability of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Founded in 2017 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company focuses on creating low-cost battery systems, including its innovative iron-air battery technology, which allows for energy storage over extended periods. This capability enables the dispatch of renewable energy throughout the year, effectively replacing traditional fossil fuel-based generation and contributing to the decarbonization of the electric grid. Additionally, Form Energy offers Formware, a capacity expansion software tool designed to optimize energy management. The company's technological advancements are rooted in research from MIT and are supported by various investors committed to sustainable energy solutions.

Mori

Seed Round in 2019
Mori is a developer of an edible and natural biomaterial coating that extends the shelf life of perishable foods. It uses salt and water to extract the protein from natural silk and creates a protective layer that keeps food fresher for longer enabling it to economically and sustainably transform the food supply by developing and commercializing technologies for the food, agriculture, and packaging industries. It was founded in 2016 by Adam Behrens and is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.

Commonwealth Fusion Systems

Series A in 2019
Commonwealth Fusion Systems LLC is a research and development company focused on advancing fusion energy technology to provide an inexhaustible power source. Established in 2017 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company utilizes rare-earth barium copper oxide superconductor technology to create fusion energy systems. Commonwealth Fusion Systems was spun out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and collaborates with MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center to leverage decades of government-funded fusion research. By integrating established physics with innovative magnet technology, the company aims to accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy, positioning itself as a key player in the transition to clean and renewable energy sources while addressing climate change challenges.

Vaxess Technologies

Series A in 2019
Vaxess Technologies, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 2011. The company focuses on developing and commercializing innovative silk biomaterial technologies. Its key product, the MIMIX microneedle platform, facilitates the transdermal delivery of vaccines and therapeutics. This sustained release patch technology allows for a controlled release of vaccines, mimicking the natural infection process to enhance immune response and effectiveness. Vaxess's patch is engineered for stability, eliminating the need for refrigeration, which enables shipping and application in low-resource settings. In addition to its vaccine delivery systems, Vaxess is also engaged in creating novel therapies aimed at oncology care and infectious diseases, ultimately striving to improve patient outcomes with reduced treatment burdens.

Zapata Computing

Series A in 2019
Zapata Computing, Inc. is a quantum software company that specializes in developing computing solutions for various industries, including finance, healthcare, logistics, and pharmaceuticals. Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, with an additional office in Toronto, the company offers Orquestra, a software platform that enables users to compose quantum workflows and execute them on both quantum and classical hardware. This platform facilitates simulations, optimizations, and machine learning applications, allowing for efficient management of complex tasks across different environments. As a spin-out from Harvard University, Zapata Computing leverages advanced computational techniques grounded in quantum physics to provide hardware-agnostic solutions tailored to enterprise organizations.

Via Separations

Series A in 2019
Via Separations, Inc. is focused on developing innovative membrane-based products for industrial liquid separation in challenging environments. Founded in 2016 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company aims to address the significant energy waste in the chemical separation process, which accounts for 12% of U.S. energy consumption. By employing its advanced membrane technology, Via Separations can reduce energy use by up to 90% and enhance product output. Their highly selective and robust membrane filters replace traditional heat-based separation methods, contributing to industrial decarbonization efforts. The company is currently conducting pilot trials in pulp and paper facilities, with the goal of eliminating 100 million metric tons of CO2 emissions by 2050. Originating from MIT's Department of Material Science & Engineering, Via Separations has successfully scaled its technology and demonstrated working prototypes at a commercial level.

Boston Metal

Series A in 2019
Boston Metal is a metallurgy company focused on reducing the carbon footprint of steel production through its innovative Molten Oxide Electrolysis (MOE) technology. Established in 2012 as a spin-off from MIT, the company has developed an industrial-scale solution that enables the efficient and cost-effective production of a diverse range of metals and alloys. Utilizing an electrolytic cell, Boston Metal processes raw iron ore to create ferroalloys, which are essential for producing various grades of steel. The company's advancements in MOE technology have resulted in a significant scaling of production capabilities, achieving a 1,000-fold increase and generating thousands of kilograms of metal. Headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, Boston Metal aims to provide a greener alternative for the metal industry by leveraging its unique process and a variety of feedstocks.

Form Energy

Series A in 2018
Form Energy, Inc. specializes in the development of long-duration energy storage systems aimed at enhancing the reliability of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. Founded in 2017 and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, the company focuses on creating low-cost battery systems, including its innovative iron-air battery technology, which allows for energy storage over extended periods. This capability enables the dispatch of renewable energy throughout the year, effectively replacing traditional fossil fuel-based generation and contributing to the decarbonization of the electric grid. Additionally, Form Energy offers Formware, a capacity expansion software tool designed to optimize energy management. The company's technological advancements are rooted in research from MIT and are supported by various investors committed to sustainable energy solutions.

C2Sense

Seed Round in 2017
C2Sense, Inc. specializes in developing chemiresistive gas sensors and miniaturized sensing technologies aimed at enhancing food quality and safety, particularly in the food and agriculture sectors. Founded in 2013 and based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company’s sensors detect gases like ethylene and biogenic amines at low concentrations, allowing stakeholders throughout the supply chain—from growers to consumers—to monitor the freshness of fruits, meats, and other perishable goods, ultimately reducing waste. C2Sense is also advancing its Halo Diagnostics product, a digitally connected immunoassay reader that offers near-PCR sensitivity and facilitates real-time test results through a cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant platform. This technology supports remote healthcare by enabling physicians to access patient test results instantly. Additionally, C2Sense has developed versatile sensing solutions that provide product quality information and counterfeit detection, using safe molecular additives that report on the status of goods throughout the distribution process, thereby enhancing security in various sectors, including pharmaceuticals and luxury goods.

Suono Bio

Seed Round in 2017
Suono Bio, Inc. is a biotechnology company based in Medford, Massachusetts, focused on developing innovative therapeutic products utilizing its proprietary delivery technology. Founded in 2016, the company specializes in the ultra-rapid, localized delivery of small molecules, biologics, nucleic acids, and gene therapies directly to the gastrointestinal tract, eliminating the need for encapsulation. Suono Bio aims to transform the treatment of challenging diseases, particularly those involving inflammatory-mediated conditions, by enabling efficient and effective delivery of therapeutics across various tissues. This technology has the potential to enhance patient recovery from gastrointestinal diseases by ensuring that treatments reach their intended targets quickly and effectively.

ISEE

Seed Round in 2017
ISEE, Inc. is an autonomous driving technology company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, established in 2016. The company specializes in developing artificial intelligence-driven software and hardware solutions for self-driving vehicles, with a focus on modernizing the global supply chain. ISEE's autonomous yard trucks are utilized by major clients, including Maersk and various Fortune 100 retailers, to enhance the automation of logistics hubs. The company's proprietary technology excels at predicting human behavior and managing risk, allowing for improved safety, cost efficiency, and consistent performance in yard operations. By enabling seamless and safe operation of autonomous machines, ISEE aims to transform the logistics and supply chain industries.
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