Rice University Business Plan Graduate-level Student Startup Competition 2024

Published: 21 Dec 2023

The Rice University Business Plan Graduate-level Student Startup Competition, entering its 24th 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. Over 23 years it has grown from nine teams competing for $10,000 in prize money in 2001, to 42 teams from around the world competing for more $1 million in cash and prizes. It is the largest and richest student startup competition in the world.

RBPC Startup Competition

Application Deadline	January 31, 2024
Type	Entrepreneurs
Sponsor	Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship

Benefits of RBPC Startup Competition

Each of the 42 startups will walk away from the 2024 Rice Business Plan Competition with at least $950 in prizes, no matter how you place in the competition. We have prizes ranging from no-equity, cash, investment prizes from active investors, invitations from Houston accelerators with contingent investment prizes—and in-kind prizes to provide you the expertise to grow your startup. 

• 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

Teams that compete in the Semi-final round that do not advance to the finals will receive the following cash prizes:

• Semi-Final Round – Flight 1: 3rd Place: $2,000; 4th Place:  $1,500; 5th Place:  $1,250
• Semi-Final Round – Flight 2: 3rd Place: $2,000; 4th Place:  $1,500; 5th Place:  $1,250
• Semi-Final Round – Flight 3: 3rd Place: $2,000; 4th Place:  $1,500; 5th Place:  $1,250

All other startups that do not make the semi-finals will be awarded $950 each. 

Requirements for RBPC Startup Competition

• 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

Sectors

• Energy, Cleantech and Sustainability
• Hard Tech
• Life Sciences and Healthcare Solutions
• Digital Enterprise
• Consumer Products and Services

Application Deadline

January 31, 2024

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship on riceuniversity.zoom.us to apply