Unveiling the Premier Startup Competition
The Rice University Business Plan Graduate-level Student Startup Competition, now in its 24th year, offers an immersive platform for collegiate entrepreneurs.
Organized by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and Rice Business, it fosters real-world experience for startups to refine strategies, pitch ideas, and understand the dynamics of launching a successful company.
Eligibility Criteria for RBPC 2024
Student-driven startups with current graduate degree-seeking members from any global college or university are eligible.
These ventures must not have raised over $250,000 in equity capital or generated revenue surpassing $100,000 in any 12-month period before July 1, 2023. Seeking funding or capital, and being a potentially viable investment opportunity, are also requisites.
Diverse Sector Participation
The competition invites startups from various sectors including Energy, Cleantech, Sustainability, Hard Tech, Life Sciences, Healthcare Solutions, Digital Enterprise, and Consumer Products/Services, fostering a diverse array of entrepreneurial endeavors.
Lucrative Prizes and Rewards
42 participating startups are guaranteed a minimum of $950 in prizes, irrespective of their competition placement.
The rewards range from cash prizes, no-equity awards, investment opportunities, invitations from Houston accelerators, and in-kind prizes aimed at nurturing startups’ growth.
Mentorship Opportunities
Startups receive valuable mentorship and guidance before and during the competition. Feedback on business plans or pitch decks is provided beforehand by judges, aiding startups in refining their strategies.
Pre-competition mentorship, pitch training, and coaching are facilitated through partnerships, offering participants insights and advice from experts and past winners.
Practice and Application Details
Before the competition, startups practice their pitches, gaining valuable feedback from judges on refining their approach.
The deadline for applications is January 31, 2024, offering an opportunity for innovative ventures to seize this entrepreneurial platform.