Rice University calls applications for the world’s richest and largest graduate-level student startup competition – Rice Business Pan Competiton 2020 in United States. The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business at Rice University is hosting Rice Business Plan Competition for the 20th year in a row. In the first year of competition, there were 9 times competing for $10,000 cash prize but there were 42 startups competing for $1.5 million prizes last year which is just after 19 years.

The competition aims to provide real-world experience to startups to pitch their startups to investors, receive mentoring, network with the entrepreneurial ecosystem. In addition to that, Rice Business Plan Competition 2020 aims to enhance the startup strategy and makes a platform for candidates to learn what it takes to launch a successful startup in this generation.

Categories of Startups

• Energy/Clean Technology: Sustainability, Water, Battery Technologies, Control Systems, Smart Metering, PV Technology, Natural Gas, Transportation/Mobility, Oil & Gas Technologies, Algae, Fuel Cells, Hybrid Vehicles, and so on
• Tech: Mobile Apps/Software, Digital Media, Consumer Web, B2B Applications, Enterprise Software, SAAS, Web, Virtual Reality, Big Data, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Drones, Hardware, Robotics, Drones, Internet, IoT, and so on
• Life Sciences: Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Digital Health, Health IT, Biotech, Therapeutics, and so on
• Other Innovation: Advanced Materials, Composites, Nanotechnology, Consumer, Other Technology, and so on

Eligibilities 

Rice University invites any graduate-student startup, in a broad range of industries, from any university, in any degree program to participate in Rice Business Competition 2020 in United States. In addition to that, there must be at least two current students as well at least one graduate-level student founder or management team member in the startup. More information about eligibility and requirements is available here.

Benefits 

The organizer provides an intense, immersive experience over the course three days for student startup founders to pitch to investors, receive multiple rounds of feedback and advance their startup. In addition to that, there will be over $1.5 million in prizes, and all 42 teams who compete at Rice University in Houston are guaranteed to win cash prizes. Currently, the minimum cash prize is $500 and the grand prize winner receives a $350,000 investment (typically in the form of a convertible debt note, without geographic restrictions.)

Application Submission 

Startups must apply online for this competition. The applicant might need the following additional materials to validate the application

• Answer a 20-question survey about your team
• Attach 2-5 page Executive Summary in PDF format
• 60 to 120-second video pitch is optional (does not have to be fancy, professionally produced or graphics-heavy. Just you and/or your founders, talking about your startup, in front of a phone video-camera, is fine)

The last date to submit the application is January 27, 2020.

Click here for more information.

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