Ann DeWitt – General Partner at The Engine – joins us to discuss ‘tough tech’ and what she looks for when funding life science startups. We will discuss The Engine, a local investment firm and deep tech incubator, and the model they use to support ventures at the interface of science and engineering. We will also talk about qualities that often define the most successful scientist-entrepreneurs and the challenges faced by ventures solving the world’s most difficult multidisciplinary problems. Finally, we will learn about the scientific and technological advances that Ann finds most promising and capable of dramatically enhancing medical science and human health.

About the Speaker:

Ann DeWitt MBA is a General Partner of the investment team at The Engine. Ann is a Board Member at Biobot, Cellino, E25Bio, Kytopen, Lucy Therapeutics, Mori, Syzygy & Vaxess. Ann was most recently at Sanofi where she held senior roles in business development and strategic venture investment. Prior to Sanofi, she was at Flagship Ventures. Ann started her career in R&D at 3M Company, working across fields of materials, biology, engineering. Ann holds an MBA from Harvard and a PhD in Chemical Engineering from MIT. She serves on the Board of Women in the Enterprise of Science and Technology and on the Life Science Council of Springboard Enterprises. The Engine, built by MIT, is a venture firm that invests in early-stage companies solving the world’s biggest problems through the convergence of breakthrough science, engineering, and leadership. Our mission is to accelerate the path to market for Tough Tech companies through access to a unique combination of investment, infrastructure, and a vibrant ecosystem.