Cambridge, MA The Engine and Dacon Corp. have entered a partnership to support disruptive startups that have the capability to positively change the trajectory of society. This partnership funds affordable access to critical resources such as labs, equipment, programming, mentorship and networking opportunities to early-stage startups. 

Emily Knight, The Engine’s president and CEO said, “At The Engine, we believe that spaces accelerate growth and we’re excited to partner with Dacon, an organization that shares this view. Together, we can support Tough Tech teams as they scale.” 

‘Tough Tech’ refers to startups utilizing breakthrough science and engineering to solve deep-rooted global challenges across environmental, health, and advanced systems and infrastructure verticals. The Engine is a public benefit corporation that spun out of MIT in 2016 to support the unique needs of early-stage Tough Tech companies, from discovery through commercialization. The challenges of commercializing these science and engineering breakthroughs are diverse and complex. As such, The Engine fosters growth within the broader ecosystem of scientists, engineers, government agencies, academic institutions, capital providers, and corporations. They deliver programming, mentorship, events (including Tough Tech Week in Boston, October 7^th-11^th featuring the Tough Tech Summit), and shared equipment and lab space. 

Organizations like The Engine and Dacon are committed to supporting Tough Tech companies that require specific resources and infrastructure given their unique needs. 

Kevin Quinn, Dacon’s CEO said, “Every business experiences challenges, and the startups at The Engine have no shortage of them as they are tackling some of the world’s most complex problems. As an established business, it is our responsibility to support this effort.”