Overview

Rice Business Plan Competition is a distinguished graduate-level student startup competition. The competition is hosted by Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, it will now be entering its 14th year since inception. The growth of the program is evident, since commencement; from 9 teams competing for 10k in prize money in the beginning of the decade, 42 teams from around the globe will compete for an estimated $1.3 million in prize money this year. Participants of the competition will be given the distinct pleasure of meeting and networking with over 250 venture capital principals, early stage investors, and successful entrepreneurs.

Students will be given the opportunity to redefine and tune their business plans and elevator pitches with hopes of receiving funding to successfully commercialize their product. The judges of the competition will evaluate the students as real-world entrepreneurs soliciting start-up funds. Ranking each team/presentation based on which company they would invest in. Overall it is a mock trial for the students to prepare for real world altercations. With Some gaining the necessary capital to begin with their entrepreneurial endeavor.

Purpose

“The goal of the RBPC is to provide the best overall educational and entrepreneurial experience of any business plan/new venture competition…”

Distinct Difference From Other Offerings:

RBPC is a proven program that has developed into a prestigious entity that fosters successful enterprises.

138 past competitors have successfully launched their businesses, and have raised in excess of $600 million in funding.

Teams will participate and present their proposal within a three day period.

First Day) Practice Round and Elevator Pitch Competition

Second Day) First Round and Feedback Session

Third Day) Semi-Final, Shark Tank and Final Round

Following link gives a breakdown of prizes and awards given to superior competitors.

http://alliance.rice.edu/Prizes/

Impact Achieved For Students And Campus:

Highlights of the Competition include:

Real-world opportunities to gain the necessary knowledge that is required to successfully accelerate a new business.

“Chance to receive mentoring from investors and experienced entrepreneurs
Scheduled opportunities to network with potential venture capitalists and other investors for three days
High caliber of judges, all senior level investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders
Opportunities to receive individual feedback during 3 separate sessions
2013: $1.5 Million + in prize money was awarded with all teams winning at least one cash award”

Recent recognition:

2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 Top Ten Best U.S. Graduate Entrepreneurship Program – Princeton Review and Entrepreneur magazine
2011 NASDAQ OMX Center of Entrepreneurial Excellence Award – GCEC
2011 National Model MBA Entrepreneurship Program – USASBE
2011, 2009 Marketer of the Year – American Marketing Association
2009 Outstanding Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership - GCEC
2009 Excellence in Technology Entrepreneurship Award - GCEC
2009 Outstanding Technology Entrepreneurship Program – USASBE
2008 Houston’s Greatest Economic Development Ally – Greater Houston Partnership

Steps Requried to Bring Resource On Campus:

Detailed explanation on entering competition.

http://alliance.rice.edu/Eligibility/

Detailed explanation on submitting a proposal.

http://alliance.rice.edu/Submission_Requirements/

The program is open to all graduate-level students.

http://alliance.rice.edu/Compete/

Format of the Competition

First Day

-Kick-off

-Practice Round

-Elevator Pitch

Second Day

-First Round

-Announcement of Finalists

Third Day

-Semi-Finals

-Finals

-Awards Banquet

Awards

Awards for Placement

First Place Team: $300,000 GOOSE Society Investment Prize

Second Place Team: $50,000 Investment Prize

Third Place Team: $7,500 Cash

Fourth Place Team: $5,000 Cash

Fifth Place Team: $4,000 Cash

Sixth Place Team: $3,000 Cash
Other Awards

$200,000 – OWL Investment Prize

-Given to the team with the most potential for sales growth

$100,000 – The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Houston Angel Investment Prize

-Silicon Valley Investment given to the best team to encourage entrepreneurship

$100,000 – Houston Angel Network Investment Prize

-Prize given out to the best team by the Houston Angel Network (HAN)

$100,000 – Cisco Innovation Challenge Prize

-Prize given by Cisco to the team whose product is the most innovative and beneficial to mankind

$50,000 – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Energy Prize

-Prize given to the team that finishes the highest and has a product that promotes clean energy

$25,000 – Courageous Women Entrepreneur Prize

-Prize given to the best team that has a woman in the founding of the team and part of the presentation

$25,000 – Women's Health and Wellness Innovations Prize

-Prize given to the team that has the best product that promotes women’s health

$25,000 – TMC|X Life Science Accelerator Prize

-Prize given to the team with the most promising life science startup and the team is put into their accelerator cohort program

$25,000 – Texas Business Hall of Fame Best of Texas Prize

-Prize given to the team who places highest in the event from Texas

$25,000 – George R. Brown School of Engineering Tech Innovation Prize

-Prize given to the team who has the most promising technological product

$20,000 – NASA Earth/Space Human Health & Performance Innovation Cash Award

-Prize given to the team whose product is the best in the area of life science and applicable to NASA

$15,000 – Station Houston Engine of Innovation Award

-Prize given to the team with the most innovative product and allow for free use for 1 year of Station Houston space to work and collaborate with other startups

$10,000 – Edward H. Molter Memorial Prize for Best Presentation

-Prize given to the team that has the best pitch and defense of its plan

$10,000 – Pearland Economic Development Corporation (EDC) Spirit of Entrepreneurship Prize

-Prize given to the team that exemplifies the spirit of entrepreneurship the best

$5,000 – SoFi People’s Choice Award

-Prize is given to the team the receives the most votes from an online Facebook poll

$3,000 – James Nicolaou Memorial Prize for Challenge Round Winner

-Prize given to the team that performs the best in challenges that occur during the competition

$3,000 – Palo Alto Software Outstanding Written Business Plan Prize

-Prize given to the team with the best written business plan

$1,000 – Orrick Company Showcase Prize at Awards Banquet

-Prize given to the team who is determined the best by other participants

$1,000 – High School Judging Panel Prize

-Prize given to the best team based upon voting from 12 high schoolers

Contact Information:

Rice Business Plan Competition, contact is at rbpc@rice.edu or you may call (713) 348-3443.
Mailing Address
Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship
Rice University, MS-531
PO Box 2932
Houston, TX 77252-2932

Physical Address
Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship
Jones School, Room 134
Rice University
6100 Main Street
Houston, TX 77005-2932

Phone: 713-348-3443
Fax: 713-348-3110
Email: rbpc@rice.edu

Organization:Rice Business Plan Competition

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