Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship

As 2024 wraps up, we’re reflecting on a year of incredible milestones and growth. From groundbreaking startup successes to launching exciting new programs with the Ion, it’s been a year to remember. Thank you to the Rice Alliance community and beyond for your continued support! Here’s to even bigger things in 2025—more innovation, more collaboration and more impact. Want to dive deeper into our year? Check out the Rice Alliance Year-in-Review for a look back at all the highlights. If you missed our newsletter, make sure to sign up! https://lnkd.in/g6XPSW-z.

The 25th Rice Business Plan Competition, presented by Rice Business, is officially underway! We’re kicking things off at Ion Houston with the Elevator Pitch Competition, where 42 student-led startups are ready to pitch to investors, mentors, and leaders from across the country—and it’s just the beginning. 🎥 Tune in to the Mercury Elevator Pitch Competition today at 6 PM CT live at: https://lnkd.in/gne-amH6. #RBPC25

Thank you to our Rice Business Plan Competition sponsors! As we celebrate 25 years of the RBPC, we want to recognize the sponsors, partners, and judges who make it all possible. Their support goes beyond financial contributions—they open doors, offer mentorship, and invest in these startups, giving founders a real springboard to success. You make it possible for RBPC to be a launchpad for phenomenal student founders. Thank you for fueling the next generation of entrepreneurs and shaping the future of innovation! #RBPC25

25 years ago we started with 9 teams and $10K in prizes. Now, the Rice Business Plan Competition has grown into the largest and richest intercollegiate student startup competition. Over the years, RBPC has helped graduate student founders sharpen their business plans, connect with mentors and unlock investment opportunities. A huge thank you to our sponsors, partners, judges and Houston for 25 years of support in fueling the next generation of founders. Your commitment to championing their ideas and dreams through your dedication to the RBPC has created a lasting impact. Past competitors have raised nearly $7 billion in funding, with 307 startups still in business or successfully exited. We're so excited to see what this year's startups will bring! #RBPC25, presented by Rice Business, kicks off next week! Watch the Elevator Pitch Competition on April 10 and the Final Round at Rice University on April 12 live at https://lnkd.in/gne-amH6. Learn more about the startups and this year's competition: rbpc.rice.edu/2025.

Support the next generation of entrepreneurs through Rice's 24-Hour Challenge! The Rice Alliance empowers the next generation of founders, providing the mentorship, resources, and connections they need to turn ideas into successful ventures. From the Ignite Entrepreneurship Trek, which takes students to Silicon Valley, to the OwlSpark Accelerator, which helps launch startups, our programs help shape the future of innovation. Your support fuels these efforts—helping Rice entrepreneurs grow and bringing top emerging startups to Houston at Ion Houston, where the Rice Alliance runs programming. Give to the 24-Hour Challenge by tomorrow, April 2 and be part of their journey! Give today at: https://lnkd.in/gNr84XCy.

Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week returns September 15-19, 2025, uniting startups, investors and industry leaders to accelerate real solutions for the dual challenge! With expanded programming and new partners, the event builds on Houston’s role as a global energy innovation hub. ⭐Learn more: https://ow.ly/GY7h50VoePq

The countdown is on! ⏰ The Rice Business Plan Competition, presented by Rice Business, is right around the corner, happening April 10-12, with 42 top university startups competing for over $1 million in prizes. Make sure to bookmark the competition website to catch the livestream of the Elevator Pitch Competition and Final Round at: https://lnkd.in/gne-amH6.

Calling all cleantech startups! Ready to scale your impact? Apply for Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator - Class 5 by March 31 at: https://lnkd.in/dcNwYr5. Have questions? Get them answered by the leadership team during their virtual info session on March 27 at 11:00 a.m. CT. Register at: https://lnkd.in/g8RQ5Q42.

What’s the secret to long-term business success? Join Rice Business Partners Thought Leadership Series on Wednesday, March 26th at 6:30 p.m. as Dean Peter Rodriguez sits down with Phil Green, Chairman & CEO of Frost Bank, for a discussion on the power of strong company culture and long-term vision in driving impactful results. This event is open to Rice Business students, alumni, Rice Business Partners, and the Houston business community—so don’t miss this opportunity to gain executive-level insights! Registration closes Monday, March 24: https://lnkd.in/ga48YnHU.

Will we see you on March 25 at Ion Houston? This is going to be an exciting opportunity to hear from four Texas-based VCs. Register now: https://lnkd.in/gMgYVBUa