Join us to learn about The Engine, its community of tough-tech founders, and how Harvard researchers can get involved. Hosted by OTD and by the FAS Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.

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The Commercializing Innovation speaker series is primarily intended for Harvard University faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate students who are interested in learning about technology commercialization, careers outside of academia, and scientific entrepreneurship. However, the event is open to all.

About The Engine

Founded by MIT in 2016, The Engine is a first-of-its-kind organization that serves as a home for tough-tech founders. The Engine is a combination of long-term investment, resources and services for founders working on tough tech. It bridges the gap between discovery and commercialization by empowering disruptive technologies with the long-term capital, knowledge, specialized equipment and labs they need to thrive. This enables founders to build the next generation of world-changing technologies. https://www.engine.xyz/

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Speakers

Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner

Katie is the CEO and Managing Partner of The Engine. Previously, Katie was a founder and Managing Director at Project 11 Ventures and Managing Director of Techstars Boston. Katie spent her early career building significant Internet businesses as the Head of Product for Microsoft Startup Labs and SVP of Product at Eons. She learned the ropes of product and business development at AltaVista, RagingBull, Zip2, and Mirror Worlds. Katie currently serves as Chairman of Startup Institute where she is also a founder. She holds an MBA from Yale University and a BA in Biology from Oberlin College.

Ally Yost, Associate

Ally has a background in mechanical engineering and research and development. She brings expertise in materials and micro and nanotechnologies from her MIT graduate work, and research at NASA, Google[x], and MGH. Also while at MIT, she spent a significant amount of time learning within the entrepreneurial ecosystem as Managing Director of the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition, and as Co-Director of MIT Hacking Medicine. Most recently, Ally led R&D and manufacturing at Accion Systems, Inc. – an MIT-spin out that creates high-quality, affordable ion propulsion technologies for increased access to space. Ally has an SM in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from UNH.