Michelle Daubar joins Engine Ventures as Partner, Head of Investor Relations & Capital Formation

Private markets veteran brings more than 20 years of experience to Tough Tech venture firm

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Engine Ventures today announced that Michelle Daubar has joined the firm as Partner, Head of Investor Relations & Capital Formation. Daubar will lead the firm's institutional investor relationships and capital formation strategy as Engine Ventures continues to build the capital base required to bring breakthrough science from the lab to market.

Born out of MIT nearly ten years ago, Engine Ventures is a venture capital firm backing Tough Tech. The firm invests globally in companies commercializing technological breakthroughs redefining the ways we build, heal, move, connect, and power the world. Across its investment strategies, Engine Ventures partners with companies at multiple stages of growth, from early technical validation through commercialization and industrial scale. Beyond capital, the firm offers operational expertise and a powerful academic, commercial, and governmental network to build and scale companies that unlock massive opportunities in foundational industries. Its portfolio includes companies such as Commonwealth Fusion Systems, Form Energy, Bexorg, and Celestial AI, which was acquired by Marvell Technology earlier this year.

Daubar joins Engine Ventures from Oak HC/FT, where she led Investor Relations and Capital Formation. Over an 11-year tenure, she helped Oak raise multiple funds, developed and expanded the firm's institutional investor base, and oversaw its marketing, communications, and public relations strategy. Previously, Daubar served as Vice President of Investor Relations & Communications at General Catalyst and earlier held investor relations and marketing roles at Lighthouse Capital Partners and in the Private Equity group at Standard Life Investments.

“Michelle has spent two decades earning the trust of institutional investors and building partnerships that last across cycles,” said Katie Rae, CEO and Managing Partner of Engine Ventures. “She knows how much relationships matter, from founders all the way to LPs, and shares our ambition for what these partnerships can build. She's a perfect fit for our team.”

“What drew me to Engine Ventures was the combination of an extraordinary team and extensive academic network, a truly differentiated investment strategy, and a mission that matters,” said Daubar. “The opportunity ahead in Tough Tech is enormous, and I am excited to work alongside Katie Rae and the broader Engine Ventures team to deepen our partnerships with existing LPs and introduce a new group of investors to what Engine Ventures is building.”

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).

About Engine Ventures
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. The firm is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Learn more at engineventures.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.