Rice University Business Plan Competition 2024 for Student Entrepreneurs

Rice University has launched the 2024 Business Plan Competition designed to give collegiate entrepreneurs a real-world experience to pitch their startups to investors, receive mentoring, network with the entrepreneurial ecosystem, enhance their startup strategy, and learn what it takes to launch a successful startup.

Application Deadline: 31st January, 2024

Eligible Countries: All

To Be Taken At (Country): Houston, Texas

About the Award: The Rice Business Plan Competition is the world’s richest and largest graduate-level student startup competition. It is hosted and organized by the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University and the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, Rice University’s internationally-recognized initiative devoted to the support of entrepreneurship.

Sectors: business plans and companies should fall into one of four categories, or sectors:

1. Life Science – includes (but not limited to) Medical Devices, Therapeutics, Diagnostics, Health IT, Biotechnology
2. Energy/Clean Technology – includes (but not limited to) Sustainability, Water, Battery Technologies, Control Systems, Smart Metering, PV Technology, Natural Gas, Transportation/Mobility, Oil & Gas Technologies, Algae, Fuel Cells, Hybrid Vehicles
3. Technology – Includes (but is not limited to): Mobile Apps, Software, Digital Media, Consumer Web, Bto-B Applications, Enterprise Software, SAAS, Internet, Web, Virtual Reality, Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Drones, Hardware, Robotics, Unmanned Vehicles
4. Other Innovations – Includes (but is not limited to): Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology, Composites, Nanotechnology, Consumer, Other Technology

Teams must choose one sector/category for their companies. Teams may chose a second sector/category, though a second sector/category is optional and not required. Please choose sectors/categories that best align with your company’s product, technology, system or mission.

Type: Entrepreneurship/Contest

Eligibility: YOU ARE INITIALLY ELIGIBLE FOR RBPC 2024 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, 2023
• has not generated revenue of more than $100,000 in any 12-month period prior to July 1, 2023
• is seeking funding or capital (or will be in the next 12 months)
• is a potentially viable investment opportunity

Value of Award: 

• Rice University will provide an intense, immersive experience over the course three days for student startup founders to pitch to investors, receive multiple rounds of feedback and advance their startup.
• There will be over $1 million in prizes, and all 42 teams who compete at Rice University in Houston are guaranteed to win cash prizes. The minimum cash prize is $500 and the grand prize winner receives a $300,000 investment (typically in the form of a convertible debt note, without geographic restrictions.)

Duration of Program: April 4-6, 2024

How to Apply: Submit your application online at www.rbpc.rice.edu

It is important to go through all application instructions and eligibility requirements before applying.

Visit the Program Webpage for Details