Avery Ruxer Franklin

OwlSpark announces students, alumni and staff selected for its 13th cohort

OwlSpark, Rice’s startup and small business accelerator for Rice-affiliated ventures, brings together 11 companies in the program’s 13th year who represent a new wave of entrepreneurs tackling challenges across technology, consumer products, health care and more. Since 2013, the accelerator has supported 229 founders and launched 104 ventures with participants collectively raising more than $116 million in funding.

Proposed ‘anti-science’ federal budget will boost China’s progress, Baker Institute expert says

Experts on American science and research policy are available to discuss how the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts could affect the country’s citizens and global leadership.

New national survey reveals what American consumers truly value across 18 key industries

The 2025 Customer Value Report, authored by marketing researchers at Rice and the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School, evaluates 18 sectors representing the full spectrum of American consumer life — from banking, education and health care to streaming services and law enforcement.

Extreme price variation at Houston hospitals continues, expert says

Houston hospitals show significant pricing differences in their procedures, according to a new brief from Rice’s Baker Institute for Public Policy. The research revisits the websites of the four largest Texas Medical Center (TMC) hospitals to assess whether they have followed federal hospital price transparency laws. The analysis focuses on the listed prices from Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center, Houston Methodist Hospital and Memorial Hermann-TMC.

Veloci wins the 2025 Rice Launch Challenge

Veloci, an innovative shoe company founded by Rice student-athlete Tyler Strothman, took home the top prize at the annual Napier Rice Launch Challenge (NRLC). The April 22 banner event featured pitches from the final five ventures of the competition to a panel of distinguished judges in front of a live audience.

Lilie announces 2025 Rice Innovation Fellows cohort

The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie) has introduced the 2025 Rice Innovation Fellows cohort, a dynamic group set to lead the future of scientist- and engineer-driven spinout ventures from Rice labs.

Intero Biosystems from University of Michigan wins Rice Business Plan Competition

Intero Biosystems — a life science company that has developed the first cell-derived human “minigut” replicating cell types, spatial structure and function of the human intestine — took home the grand prize at the 2025 Rice Business Plan Competition.

Author Sandy Tolan discusses free speech and the Middle East at Rice Reflects event

Rice Reflects, an initiative from the Office of the Provost, brought bestselling author Sandy Tolan to McMurtry Auditorium March 10 to discuss free speech and the historical context of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

42 startups to compete for $1M at Rice Business Plan Competition April 10-12

The annual Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC), presented by Rice Business, will bring together top graduate student-run startups from around the country to compete for more than $1 million in cash, investments and in-kind prizes April 10-12 in Houston.

OpenStax announces completed computer science collection

OpenStax, a leading provider of high-quality open educational resources and interactive learning technologies housed at Rice, announces the completion of its computer science digital textbook collection. These resources provide free, up-to-date, relevant and engaging learning content to support students and educators in one of today’s most popular and rapidly evolving fields.

Propelling the future of prosthetics

Pranai Reddy, a senior studying business management, biochemistry and entrepreneurship, has spent his time at Rice University figuring out how to improve the usability in prosthetic hands and how to give students a hands-on learning experience in venture capital.

2 ‘influential women’ of Rice recognized by Houston Woman Magazine

Houston Woman Magazine recently recognized numerous women representing business, philanthropy and academia as part of its annual Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women, and Rice is home to two of those remarkable women.

Rice Business’ Wagner Kamakura celebrated for his impact on students and ‘relentless curiosity and love of learning’

Wagner Kamakura, the Jesse H. Jones Professor Emeritus of Marketing at Rice, passed away peacefully March 11 surrounded by his family.

Houstonʼs audit shows ongoing financial challenges, Baker Institute experts say

A recent audit of Houston’s finances reveals ongoing challenges, with experts warning that without major structural reforms the city could face financial instability that affects essential services.

Rice chemical engineering helping to power the energy transition

Rice professors Aditya Mohite and Haotian Wang presented their research and entrepreneurial work at CERAWeek, an annual energy conference in Houston, to industry peers and leaders from around the world the week of March 10.