Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship

University fund · Rice University · Houston

The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship is Rice University’s initiative devoted to supporting technology commercialization, entrepreneurship education, and the launch of technology companies.

About

Founded in 2000 in Houston, the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship is Rice University's initiative devoted to technology commercialization, entrepreneurship education, and the launch of technology companies. Operating as a university fund, the organization supports founders ranging from seed stage to any maturity level, with programs covering agnostic sectors alongside specific commitments to climate, energy, biotech, and deeptech ventures.

What they run

Since 2021, the alliance has organized 20 gatherings, predominantly in Houston, comprising nine conferences, five demo days, and several pitch nights. Core recurring series include the Rice Business Plan Competition, Energy Venture Day, the Texas Life Science Forum, and the Energy Tech Venture Forum. Upcoming programming on their calendar includes future editions of the Rice Business Plan Competition scheduled in Houston for November 2026 and April 2027.

Who attends

Events draw seed-stage founders and cross-sector entrepreneurs alongside those focused on decarbonization, biotech, and deeptech commercialization. Given the recurring venture forums and the Rice Business Plan Competition, attendees include startup operators pitching their companies, researchers translating academic technology, and early-stage investors evaluating climate-energy, life sciences, and university-originated innovations.

https://alliance.rice.edu

Upcoming events

Past events

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