Rice Alliance For Technology and Entrepreneurship - Outreach & Economic Development

Outreach & Economic Development

Since inception in 1999, the Rice Alliance has assisted in the launch of more than 225 start-up technology companies that have raised more than $350 million in early stage funding. The Rice Alliance has conducted over 90 programs attended by over 22,000 individuals during the first six years.

The Rice Alliance assists companies in several ways, including:

• Assessing the commercial potential of new technologies
• Creating business plans
• Developing venture presentations and elevator pitches
• Obtaining funding
• Building their management team

In total, more than 500 early-stage technology companies have been showcased at one of the Rice Alliance Technology Venture Forums. These companies include both Rice-affiliated and non-Rice affiliated ventures. Approximately 25 start-ups licensing Rice-developed technology innovations have been founded in the last eight years. These diverse companies stem from energy technology, life sciences, information technology, and nanotechnology. Four Rice University start-up companies were among the first six companies in Houston to receive grant funding from the Emerging Technology Fund from the state of Texas.

The Rice Alliance’s flagship program to encourage collaboration and networking among students, investors, entrepreneurs, mentors, and service providers is the Technology Venture Forum series. Each year, four venture capital forums are held in the following areas:

• Energy and Clean Technology
• Life Sciences
• Nanotechnology
• Information Technology