For Rice Students

Have an idea for a startup but need help figuring out where to begin? Have you done some initial research but would like some guidance on the next steps? Talk to us! For new founders and startups (idea or concept stage onward), book a meeting with Catherine on Calendly.

Ready to progress your startup? Need tips on getting to the next stage? Let's chat! For founders, entrepreneurs and startups (prototype or MVP stage onward), book a meeting with Matt at Matthew.I.Pena@rice.edu.

Are you getting ready to launch your company? Thinking about your revenue streams? For founders and startups that are at the pre-launch, launch or seeking investment stages, book a meeting with Jessica at jessica.e.fleenor@rice.edu.

The Rice Alliance hosts the world's largest and richest graduate-student startup competition at the Jones School! The RBPC is open to any university-based startup with at least one graduate-level founder. Competitors pitch to investors for a crack at $1M in prizes, all while receiving practice, mentorship, and networking over the 3-day event. And Rice is guaranteed one spot in the competition! We decide on the Rice entry through the RBPC Qualifier pitch event in February.

Learn more about RBPC by emailing Catherine at santamaria@rice.edu or booking a meeting on Calendly.

For Rice University Affiliates (Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni) creating and launching a company - OwlSpark is a 12-week accelerator program that provides hands-on entrepreneurship experiences and a roadmap from innovation to commercialization for technology startups and small businesses. The OwlSpark Startup Accelerator combines two tracks of customized programming for either a high-growth tech startup or a small business from any industry (formerly called the BlueLaunch Small Business Accelerator). Learn more about OwlSpark.

For questions about OwlSpark, contact Jessica at Jessica.E.Fleenor@rice.edu.

For startups focused on energy transition innovations, the Clean Energy Accelerator (CEA) provides access to a network and curriculum to prepare startups to quickly accelerate their business, launch pilots and fundraise. Learn more about the Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator.

For information on applying and participating, contact Matt at Matthew.I.Pena@rice.edu.

For Rice University Researchers and Scientists, Graduate Students, and Faculty - This program/mini-accelerator facilitates the commercial evaluation of academic research and innovation and develops potentially eligible teams for the National NSF I-Corps™ Program and a $50,000 I-Corps™ team grant. Rice Alliance is the home of the Southwest I-Corps node. Learn more about SWICorps.

For questions about iCorps, book a meeting with Kerri at kerri@rice.edu

An immersive entrepreneurship experience with a trip to Silicon Valley and meetings with startups, investors and the entrepreneurial community. Learn more about Ignite Trek. For more information, contact Cheyenna on cmitchell@rice.edu

The VCIC is the world’s largest venture capital competition among top MBA students from 70+ prestigious business schools. During the competition, students act as venture capitalists: evaluating real start-ups, interacting with entrepreneurs and preparing term sheets. Meanwhile, judges (real venture capitalists!) assess the students’ performances.

Rice Alliance hosts the southwest regional competition at Rice University and helps mentor the teams from Rice that compete in their regional competition.

Learn more about VCIC and contact Cheyenna at cmitchell@rice.edu with questions.

The Rice Alliance hosts the virtual Texas Regional competition the EnergyTech University Prize, sponsored by DOE’s Office of Technology Transitions. Now in its third year, the EnergyTech UP annually awards $370,000 to collegiate students who successfully identify a promising energy technology, assess its market potential, and create a business plan for commercialization. Learn more about Energy Tech UP. If you have questions, contact Catherine at santamaria@rice.edu or schedule a meeting on Calendly.

We need you . . . to volunteer! Our schedule is jam-packed with events and programs that put you in front of executives, seasoned entrepreneurs and community members. Great for networking! Volunteer needs for our events (including but not limited to):

Energy Tech Venture Forum + CEA Demo Day (Sep. 12)
Life Science Venture Forum (Nov. &)
Rice Business Plan Competition (April 10-12)

To learn about our upcoming events and programs that need volunteers and how you can help, contact Cheyenna at cmitchlell@rice.edu

Learn more about the Ion, Rice University's innovation hub in Midtown Houston, by checking their event schedule. There are several opportunities for Rice students, faculty, and staff to get involved.

Can't find the answer to your question? For general inquiries about the Rice Alliance, contact alliance@rice.edu. We will then put you in touch with a team member to help.