BRCĒ is a material-tech startup replacing failure-prone textiles with polymer composites engineered for strength, fire resistance and intrinsic stability. Its patented Lattice-Grip technology enables directional grip and controlled tension at the yarn level, eliminating slippage and performance loss under extreme conditions. The recent “Shark Tank” participant won over judges during the Rice Business Plan Competition and walked away with 11 prizes totaling $611,500.
Rice Alliance, TEX-E and HETI name energy venture winners at CERAWeek
More than 50 energy tech companies presented to the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship’s extensive network of investors and partners during CERAWeek March 25. The fast-paced global competition featured three industry tracks, ranging from advanced materials to decarbonization.
Rice Business event explores how AI can innovate hiring, finance, health care and more
At the second annual Innovation and AI Summit, Rice Business faculty led conversational panels on how artificial intelligence will affect digital transformation, finance and human capital.
42 graduate-led startups selected to compete at Rice Business Plan Competition
The 2026 Rice Business Plan Competition announced today the 42 startups invited to compete for more than $1 million in prizes April 9-11 at Rice University and in the Ion District.
The Collectiv Foundation, in collaboration with Rice, today announced the creation of the AI Native Dual-Use Sports, Health & Wellness Accelerator powered by The Collectiv in Houston’s Ion District, a 16-acre innovation hub in Houston’s Midtown developed by Rice. The accelerator platform is designed to support early stage founders building artificial intelligence technologies validated in sports and scaled across health, enterprise and consumer markets.
After nearly 25 years of leadership that helped shape Rice’s role in entrepreneurship, Brad Burke will conclude his tenure leading the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and programming in the Ion District, Houston’s transformational innovation district, June 30.
Texas Life Science Forum showcases medtech, biotech and health care innovation
More than 600 investors, entrepreneurs and industry leaders gathered at Rice Business Nov. 11 for the 14th annual Texas Life Science Forum, co-hosted by BioHouston and the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship. The event highlighted Houston’s growing leadership in life science innovation, commercialization and venture investment.
Now in its 26th year, the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC) presented by Rice Business has officially opened applications and is calling on the next generation of world-changing graduate student founders to compete on the global stage. This is where tomorrow’s industry leaders get their start.
Top university programs announced at Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers conference
The Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC), headquartered at the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, brought leading programs together to celebrate creativity and innovation in university-based entrepreneurship education for its annual conference Oct. 2-4 and announced the top programs in higher education.
Rice, Houston Methodist launch NSF-funded program to build Texas’ digital health workforce
Rice’s Office of STEM Engagement, the Houston Methodist-Rice Digital Health Institute and Houston Methodist are launching a three-year program that equips Houston-area high school and community college students and the teachers who serve them with practical skills in biomedical hardware and artificial intelligence for health.
Houston’s energy ecosystem elevates 11 ventures tackling innovative technology
The 22nd annual Rice Alliance Energy Tech Venture Forum saw 50 ventures pitch their companies to a full crowd of investors and corporate leaders Sept. 18 with nearly 100 startups participating in the investor-startup office hours.
Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week begins Sept. 15 and exemplifies how Houston is developing and scaling real solutions for the challenge of meeting growing global energy demand while reducing carbon emissions.
Twin founders: How 2 sisters are building health innovations at Rice
Rice's OwlSpark accelerator's newest cohort included twin founders with projects aiming to solve overlooked problems in patient care.
Meant to inspire: New speaker series at the Ion District to build community through stories of space
Rice helped launch a new speaker series at the Ion spotlighting the human side of space exploration.
12 startups selected to join Class 5 of the Rice Alliance Clean Energy Accelerator
The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship has announced the 12 startups chosen for Class 5 of its Clean Energy Accelerator, a program designed to propel early stage ventures advancing the global energy transition. These companies from both the Houston-region and across the U.S. and Canada are addressing carbon management, energy storage, materials, energy efficiency, wind and hydrogen.
