CEO Retreat

​​The Engine’s CEO Retreat is a dedicated, off-the-record gathering for resident company CEOs to step back, connect with peers, and reflect candidly on the challenges of leading a Tough Tech company.

​The retreat is intentionally designed around the people in the room: the agenda is shaped directly by participant input, so the conversations reflect what's most relevant and pressing for you right now. Expect honest peer discussion, small group sessions, and the kind of candid exchange that's hard to find anywhere else. No pitching. No performance. Just a room full of founders who understand what you're navigating.

​Breakfast opens at 8:15, programming will start at 9:00 AM

​The Human Element of Tough Tech with David Schonthal
New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneurship professor, and tech investor/operator David Schonthal will open with a session on overcoming resistance to new ideas and navigating the human dynamics that shape how innovations are adopted, challenges often amplified in Tough Tech.

Roundtables: Fundraising, Boards, and Tough Leadership Decisions
CEO working groups organized by stage and sector for candid conversations about some of the hardest parts of the job.

Founder-Led Unconference Sessions
Led by resident and alumni companies like Atlantic Quantum (now Google), Source Bio, and Predicta Biosciences, these discussions will tackle attendee-selected topics including term-sheet close strategies, early hiring, and non-dilutive funding.

Fireside Chat: Steve Renter, Commonwealth Fusion Systems
Emily will have a conversation with Steve on how CFS designed its culture and is sustaining it through scale-up.