Hosted and organized by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, which is Rice University's internationally-recognized initiative devoted to the support of entrepreneurship, and Rice Business, the Rice Business Plan Competition offers an educational program mirroring real-world experience through this multi-day event for student startups from across the world.
Student founders pitch to investors, receive feedback and advance their startup. There is also significant time designated for interaction with our judges and prize sponsors—providing valuable access and experience with both early-stage and later-stage investors.
The competition, just completing its 22nd year, gives collegiate entrepreneurs real-world experience to pitch their startups, enhance their business strategy and learn what it takes to launch a successful company. Hosted and organized by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship—which is Rice University's internationally-recognized initiative devoted to the support of entrepreneurship—and Rice Business.
Rice University Information
Established in 1891, Rice University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Houston (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Texas. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Rice University is a medium-sized (uniRank enrollment range: 7,000-7,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Rice University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 128 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 10-20% making this US higher education organization a most selective institution. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Eligibility Criteria
YOU ARE INITIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR RBPC 2023 IF YOUR STARTUP:
- Is student-driven, student-created and/or student-managed
- Has at least two current student founders or management team members, and at least one of those students is a current graduate degree-seeking student
- Are from a college or university anywhere in the world
- Has not raised more than $250,000 in equity capital prior to July 1, 2022
- Has not generated revenue of more than $100,000 in any 12-month period prior to July 1, 2022
- Is seeking funding or capital (or will be in the next 12 months)
- Is a potentially viable investment opportunity
Offered Benefits
PRIZES FOR PLACEMENT IN COMPETITION
- 1st Place Overall - given by the GOOSE Capital - $350,000 investment
- 2nd Place Overall – given by Rice University - $100,000 investment
- 3rd Place Overall – given by Rice University $50,000 investment
- 4th - 7th Place Overall - $5,000 cash each
- Wildcard Round Prizes
- Mercury Elevator Pitch Competition Prizes $3,500 divided among winners
- Semi-Final Round Prizes
INDIVIDUAL PRIZES (INVESTMENT)
- The OWL Investment Prize - $270,000 (distributed to 3 startups)
- Houston Angel Network (HAN) Prize for Most Investable Startup - $100,000 investment
- The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Houston Angel Investment Prize - $100,000 investment
- TMC Innovation Healthcare Investment Prize - $250,000 investment + TMCx accelerator program completion
- Softeq Venture Studios Investment Prizes (2) - $50,000 investment + $75,000 in-kind
- Thomas Healy - RBPC Alumnus $85,000 Investment Prize (Distributed to 3 startups)
- nCourage Courageous Women Entrepreneur Prize - $50,000 investment (distributed to 2 startups)
- Urban Capital Network Prize - $25,000 Investment
- New Climate Ventures Prize - $25,000 Investment
INDIVIDUAL PRIZES (CASH)
- Pediatric Device Prize by the Southwest National Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium (SWPDC) - $50,000 cash
- Pearland Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Spirit of Entrepreneurship Prize $25,000 cash
- Energy, Cleantech & Sustainability Prize, funded by IN2, NREL and WellsFargo - $25,000 cash
- RBPC Alumni Network Cash Prize, Sponsored by NABACO - $10,000 cash
- Nixon Institute Prize - $3,000 cash
- DK Innovation Prize - $3,000 cash
- The Eagle Investors Prize - $5,000 cash
- Anbarci Family Company Showcase Prize - $3,000 cash
INDIVIDUAL PRIZES (IN-KIND)
- OFW Law FDA Regulatory Strategy Prize - $20,000 in-kind for a select startup
- CFO Consulting Prize - $25,000 for 3 months in-kind for 1st Place Overall Winner
- Draper University Hero Program - 3 Scholarships valued at $36,000
- Baker Botts In-Kind Legal Services Prize - $20,000 in kind for three top startups
PRIZES FOR ALL COMPETITORS (IN-KIND)
- EFN Mentoring In-kind for all competitors
- Amazon Web Services In-kind for all competitors
- Allianse - In-kind for all competitors
Established in 1891, Rice University is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Houston (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Texas. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, Rice University is a medium-sized (uniRank enrollment range: 7,000-7,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Rice University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 128 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 10-20% making this US higher education organization a most selective institution. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.