TunaFEST is one of the best science and tech summer festivals at Rice - with free food, fun and science exhibitions! This year's theme is “Back TunaFuture,” and we’re showcasing the best and brightest future science and tech from the brilliant minds at Rice University.

This event is FREE to all our friends at Rice University, the Texas Medical Center and the Houston Innovation community (e.g. tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, business leaders, Makers, and nerds).

This year also marks the retirement of Prof. Wade Adams, the founder of TunaFest.

About the Rice TunaFEST:

Wade Adams “retired” as Chief Scientist of the Materials Directorate in the Air Force Research Lab, and in January 2002 became head of Rice’s Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, working for Rick Smalley. Later that year, Wade and his wife, Mert, returned to Houston from fishing – off of the Carolina Outer Banks – with TOO MUCH TUNA. Quite naturally for Wade and Mert, “too much tuna” became “let’s have a cookout,” and TunaFEST was born. The critical elements were hospitality and fun, and the result was a tradition that the entire Rice community looked forward to every year – on the last Friday before the Fourth of July.

By the time we held the most recent TunaFEST (TunaFinity and Beyond!!!) in 2011 – with upwards of 2,300 people – the traditions of the party had grown to include live music from The Blaggards – featuring Rick Smalley’s eldest son; plus a piñata, special T-shirts, beer from St. Arnold’s, and – of course – tuna, burgers, hot dogs, brownies, door prizes... Mainly, an excuse for Rice workers, students, staff and faculty, and friends from the Rice and Med Center community, to get together and celebrate before scattering for Independence Day.

Plus, seemingly by accident, TunaFEST has always been productive. No accident, really, because when you get that many bright people together, good ideas come out.

When Wade retired from the Smalley Institute, TunaFEST retired…until now! We are bringing TunaFEST back – keeping all of the fun, putting it in a better location (more accessible to the Texas Medical Center) and adding new things: art and technology.

The Rice Alliance's 16th Annual Energy and Clean Technology Venture Forum is the largest energy and clean technology venture capital conference in the southwest.

This event is an opportunity to learn about the latest emerging technologies, meet investors to seek funding, see promising companies, learn about investment opportunities, meet individuals from the energy & clean technology industry, learn about promising companies seeking to expand their management team, as well networking and learning opportunities for entrepreneurs, researchers, investment professional and business executives.

The must-attend event is open to anyone involved in the energy and clean technology community in the region. The conference will include industry luminary speakers, investors, and promising startups from throughout the U.S. and beyond.