Rice University’s 2024 Competition in the USA Offers $1 Million Cash Prize

The Rice University Competition provides college entrepreneurs with practical experience in pitching their startups, refining their business strategies, and gaining insights into the essentials of starting a successful company.

The event is hosted and organized by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, a globally recognized initiative at Rice University dedicated to supporting entrepreneurship, in collaboration with Rice Business. Over the past 23 years, the competition has expanded from nine teams vying for $10,000 in prize money in 2001 to 42 teams from around the world competing for over $1 million in cash and prizes. It stands as the largest and most lucrative student startup competition in the world.

Rice University Competition Summary

• Host Country: United States of America (USA)
• Category: Competitions 
• Eligible Countries: All Countries
• Reward: $1 million
• No IELTS Required
• Deadline: January 31, 2024

Rice University Competition Details:

With access to mentors, real-world experience and investment opportunities, the Rice Business Plan Competition helps graduate student founders from any university stay on target and realize their potential.

Beyond just the world-renowned prizes, student startups spend time interacting with our judges and prize sponsors—providing valuable access and experience with both early-stage and later-stage investors.

Eligibility Requirements for 2024 Rice University Competition

To be considered for the Rice University Competition, applicant must be:

• student-driven, student-created and/or student-managed
• has at least two current student founders or management team members, and at least one of those students is a current graduate degree-seeking student
• are from a college or university anywhere in the world
• has not raised more than $250,000 in equity capital prior to July 1, 2023
• has not generated revenue of more than $100,000 in any 12-month period prior to July 1, 2023
• is seeking funding or capital (or will be in the next 12 months)
• is a potentially viable investment opportunity

Benefits of 2024 Rice University Competition

In total, more than $1 million in investment and cash prizes are expected to be awarded at the 2024 Rice Business Plan Competition.

How to Apply for Rice University Competition

Interested and qualified applicants should use the apply button below to complete the application.

Deadline: January 31, 2024