Image courtesy of MIT.

An MIT-affiliated tech incubator firm will expand to an underused university-owned building elsewhere in Cambridge’s Central Square as it seeks 200,000 square feet of shared office, fabrication and lab space.

The Engine invests in early-stage “tough tech” startups – transformative technology that takes the long view, solving the world’s important challenges through the convergence of breakthrough science, engineering and leadership. These company and the university believes these companies have long been underserved by the traditional investment ecosystem, leaving many breakthrough ideas stuck in the lab. Since its 2017 launch, it has invested in 19 companies which, together, have raised approximately $285 million in capital and employ more than 200 people. The companies work on a range of products, from commercial fusion power to “next generation” cell therapies, according to a university announcement.

The Engine currently operates a 28,000-square-foot location at 501 Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge.

The incubator’s new hub, planned for a former factory building at 750 Main St., will be specifically designed for companies at the convergence of technology disciplines across engineering and physical sciences, where access to diverse space and tools are essential for success. The renovation design is slated to be finalized soon, with construction scheduled to begin later this year. The Engine’s new space will be complemented by active ground floor uses that will contribute to a more animated streetscape, the university said.

“We have a rare opportunity to help cultivate the next generation of leaders tackling the world’s most urgent, challenging problems,” Katie Rae, CEO and managing partner of The Engine, said in a statement. “We also have the chance to forge a foundational infrastructure that can potentially change the geography of innovation. A thriving hub can propel the Boston region into the future as a magnet for world-changing companies in tough tech.”