The OwlSpark Startup and Small Business Accelerator is a 12-week immersive experience that blends supportive founders, industry leaders, investors and mentors, an unrivaled entrepreneurial curriculum, and an invitation to Houston’s thriving entrepreneurship ecosystem. At the intersection of determination, grit, versatility and passion, we have mobilized a family of thinkers and doers—and leveraged a network to support entrepreneurs to do cool things that make a difference.

Built on years of refinement, but uniquely crafted each summer, our 12-week accelerator meets founders exactly where they are on their journey with the tools they need for their unique milestones—activating the game-changing potential of Rice founders. OwlSpark is the Rice University startup and small business accelerator that has been helping Rice founders launch their tech companies since 2013; OwlSpark provides two tracks for entrepreneurs across any industry: high-growth tech startups and small businesses (formerly called BlueLaunch, which was launched in 2022).