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Rice Business Plan Competition

Rice Business Plan Competition

Funds student-led startup teams competing for investment, non-dilutive cash, and in-kind prizes at Rice University.

The Rice Business Plan Competition is an annual startup competition run by Rice Business and the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship at Rice University in Houston. The competition gives university startup teams a formal application path, mentoring, investor judging, and prize funding rather than a research contract or loan. The verified 2026 cycle awarded $1,476,600 across investment

Student-led early-stage startups across energy, cleantech, hard tech, life sciences, digital enterprise, and consumer products.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Annual
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$1.5M

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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: rbpc.rice.edu