CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Engine Ventures, a venture firm that invests in early stage Tough Tech founders solving critical global challenges, today announced that Michael Kearney has been promoted from Partner to General Partner. His focus includes investments across the climate, advanced computing and human health sectors, and he currently serves as a Board Member for Engine Ventures' portfolio companies VEIR, Mantel, Osmoses and Copernic.
Kearney joined Engine Ventures in 2018 and has worked closely with portfolio companies across industrial areas, but with a growing focus on energy and climate companies. Kearney also co-founded Blueprint, by The Engine, a program which allows Tough Tech graduate students, postdocs, research scientists, faculty members and their teams to explore the commercial opportunities of their breakthroughs and startup projects. With Kearney’s vision and leadership, Blueprint has now included more than 750 participants, 450 teams, 100 institutions and a total of 7 cohorts, with both Spring and Fall 5-week sessions offered. As a General Partner at Engine Ventures, Kearney will continue to assist the firm’s portfolio companies with operational strategy and support new and current investments that address climate change, accelerate computing and improve human health.
“It has been a real privilege to serve this community of Tough Tech founders here at The Engine over the last five years. I feel extraordinarily lucky to work in this ecosystem, in Cambridge and beyond, full of people dedicating their time and effort to solve our society’s greatest challenges,” shared Kearney. “I look forward to continuing to work with them, alongside our team at Engine Ventures, to build impactful companies that deliver on the promise of a better future for all.”
Before joining Engine Ventures, Kearney was the Executive Director of the MIT Roosevelt Project, an interdisciplinary study on energy transition pathways. He was also previously the first employee at clean-tech startup Ambri, where he led business development efforts and worked with customers in electric power across the United States.
“Michael has brought a new standard of rigor, curiosity, and leadership to our team. He has amazed all of us in his ability to dive deep into diligence, to empathize with and help our founders succeed, and to lead and mentor others on the team,” added Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner of Engine Ventures. “Michael has been instrumental to the growth and success of Engine Ventures, and his first-hand experience in the energy sector has already proved invaluable to our portfolio companies and will help accelerate our collective mission as Engine Ventures continues to rapidly scale.”
Kearney holds a PhD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he trained as an economist, and conducted research on frictions in the commercialization of science and regulatory barriers to energy innovation and entrepreneurial strategy. He received an MS in Technology & Policy from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a BA from Williams College.
To reach out to Michael Kearney or learn more about his areas of focus, follow him on LinkedIn or email him at michael@engineventures.com
About Engine Ventures
Engine Ventures is a Cambridge, MA-based venture capital firm that invests in the next generation of Tough Tech founders. The firm provides capital, operational expertise, and a powerful academic, commercial, and governmental network to build and scale companies unlocking massive opportunities in climate change, human health, and advanced systems. For more information, visit www.engineventures.com
