Key Takeaways
- • Engine Ventures, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Tough Tech venture firm, has appointed Michelle Daubar as Partner, Head of Investor Relations & Capital Formation, according to a Business Wire announcement.
- • Daubar joins from Oak HC/FT, where she spent 11 years leading investor relations and capital formation and helped the firm raise multiple funds.
- • Engine Ventures manages more than $1 billion in assets, has invested in more than 70 companies, and its portfolio companies have raised more than $11 billion in capital.
- • Daubar will lead institutional LP relationships and capital formation as the firm builds the capital base needed to take breakthrough science from the lab to market.
Summary
Engine Ventures has hired Michelle Daubar as Partner and Head of Investor Relations & Capital Formation, the firm announced via Business Wire. In the role, Daubar will lead the firm's institutional investor relationships and capital formation strategy as Engine Ventures works to expand the capital base required to commercialize early-stage technological breakthroughs.
Engine Ventures, born out of MIT nearly a decade ago, invests globally in companies commercializing technological breakthroughs across areas including energy, healthcare, transportation, communications and infrastructure. The firm backs companies at multiple stages, from early technical validation through industrial scale, and offers operational expertise along with academic, commercial and governmental networks. Its portfolio includes Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Form Energy, Bexorg and Celestial AI, the last of which was acquired by Marvell Technology earlier this year. The firm reports managing more than $1 billion in assets, more than 70 invested companies, and portfolio companies that have raised more than $11 billion in aggregate capital.
Daubar joins from Oak HC/FT, where she led investor relations and capital formation over an 11-year tenure. During that period she helped Oak raise multiple funds, expanded its institutional investor base, and oversaw marketing, communications and public relations. Her earlier roles include Vice President of Investor Relations & Communications at General Catalyst, and investor relations and marketing positions at Lighthouse Capital Partners and within the Private Equity group at Standard Life Investments.
Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner of Engine Ventures, said Daubar has spent two decades building trust with institutional investors and described her as a perfect fit for the team. Daubar said the firm's academic network, investment strategy and mission drew her to the role, and that she intends to deepen relationships with existing LPs while introducing new investors to the firm. Daubar was named to Kayo's 2025 Top 25 Women in Private Equity Funds list and is a member of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN).
Engine Ventures, born out of MIT nearly a decade ago, invests globally in companies commercializing technological breakthroughs across areas including energy, healthcare, transportation, communications and infrastructure. The firm backs companies at multiple stages, from early technical validation through industrial scale, and offers operational expertise along with academic, commercial and governmental networks. Its portfolio includes Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Form Energy, Bexorg and Celestial AI, the last of which was acquired by Marvell Technology earlier this year. The firm reports managing more than $1 billion in assets, more than 70 invested companies, and portfolio companies that have raised more than $11 billion in aggregate capital.
Daubar joins from Oak HC/FT, where she led investor relations and capital formation over an 11-year tenure. During that period she helped Oak raise multiple funds, expanded its institutional investor base, and oversaw marketing, communications and public relations. Her earlier roles include Vice President of Investor Relations & Communications at General Catalyst, and investor relations and marketing positions at Lighthouse Capital Partners and within the Private Equity group at Standard Life Investments.
Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner of Engine Ventures, said Daubar has spent two decades building trust with institutional investors and described her as a perfect fit for the team. Daubar said the firm's academic network, investment strategy and mission drew her to the role, and that she intends to deepen relationships with existing LPs while introducing new investors to the firm. Daubar was named to Kayo's 2025 Top 25 Women in Private Equity Funds list and is a member of the Private Equity Women Investor Network (PEWIN).
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