Milo Werner has joined The Engine as general partner as the MIT-founded venture firm confirmed its second fund has reached $302m.
The Engine, the US-based venture firm established by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and also backed by Harvard University, appointed Milo Werner as general partner today.
Werner joins chief executive and managing partner Katie Rae, and fellow general partners Reed Sturtevant and Ann DeWitt. Her appointment follows the promotion of Michael Kearney to partner last month – Kearney was a guest on Talking Tech Transfer last year to discuss the firm’s mission.
Werner will focus on the portfolio companies covering climate, human health, advanced systems and infrastructure. She previously gained more than 15 years of operational, entrepreneurial and venture investment expertise, including more than eight years spent at electric carmaker Tesla.
She joins The Engine from venture capital firm Ajax Strategies, where she had been partner leading mid-stage deals in energy, transportation, agriculture and manufacturing companies. Her earlier positions also included operating partner at Khosla Ventures.
In addition to announcing Werner’s appointment, The Engine disclosed its second fund had reached $302m in capital. The firm had secured $250m from limited partners including MIT and Harvard by June 2021 – it is unclear from whom or when the additional capital was secured.
Werner said: “As an MIT alum and native of Brookline, Massachusetts, I was drawn to The Engine since it was conceived – its mission, leadership, diversity of investments and hands-on approach mirror my own values and leadership style.
“I have been impressed with the fund milestones and portfolio achievements ever since I participated in the inaugural Tough Tech Summit. I am thrilled for the opportunity to join the team and work side-by-side with Katie, Reed and Ann in support of these phenomenal tough tech founders as they scale strategically, establish sustainable supply chains and contribute to economic and societal growth.”
Rae added: “Milo has a deep understanding of the challenges founders need to overcome when commercialising complex technologies and an impressive track record of rebuilding the global supply chain with investments in truly platform-shifting technologies within autotech, energy storage and cool chain.
“Her proven ability to industrialise the toughest technologies will be instrumental for our current portfolio as it scales.”
– Image courtesy of The Engine
