FIESTA: Festival of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Science, Tech, & Art

FIESTA is a 4-day Festival to kick off the school year and celebrate Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, and Art at Rice University.

Discover mind-blowing research and world changing innovations coming from Rice University faculty, students, and alumni
Connect with folks across many disciplines and industries who share your interests.
Learn about the resources and upcoming opportunities available to you at Lilie.
Be inspired to take the first steps on your own entrepreneurial journey.

We aim to inspire and expose students from all disciplines to mind-blowing research and innovation happening across campus. Over the four days, attendees will hear from keynote speakers, faculty researchers, and student innovation fellows about the incredible exploration being worked on by the Rice community. Attendees will also hear about the upcoming opportunities Lilie offers to support students in their entrepreneurial pursuits.

Check out the full schedule of events below and
don’t forget to REGISTER HERE!

2025 SCHEDULE

Hoot Ones: AMA with Lilie Team

Monday, August 25

Join the Lilie team for an Ask Me Anything session inspired by the Hot Ones interview show. We’ll be answering your burning questions while our mouths are on fire — literally — eating wings that get hotter and hotter as the questions roll in.

Open to the whole Rice community!

Summer Venture Studio Demo Day

Tuesday, August 26

Rice University’s Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Lilie) invites you to the 2025 Summer Venture Fellows Demo Day.

Enjoy dynamic pitches from the eight cohort companies selected for the 2025 Lilie Summer Venture Studio, an immersive summer accelerator program designed to propel the university’s innovative ventures forward.

After the main event, celebrate our founder’s achievement at our after party!

Open to the whole Rice community.

Meet the 2025 Summer Venture Studio Cohort!

FIESTA: Life’s A Pitch Practice

Wednesday, August 27

Join us for an interactive pitch practice workshop designed for aspiring entrepreneurs. This workshop offers a unique opportunity for students to practice the art of the pitch by presenting a product they know better than anyone else: themselves! In this supportive environment, students will have a no-risk opportunity to learn the elements of a pitch and practice putting it all together.

Whether you’re just looking to meet new friends or interested in finding others who share your passion, this workshop will provide the tools and confidence you need to present your ideas effectively. Don’t miss this chance to take your entrepreneurial journey to the next level!

Open only to currently enrolled Rice students from all degree programs and majors.

First Pitch Open Mic Night

Wednesday, August 28

Now that you’ve practiced, it’s time to grab a mic, get the spotlight, and share your passion, problem, and product ideas with the entrepreneurial community at Rice. With built in time to meet and mix it up with other passionate student innovators, this is the perfect opportunity for you to try something new, build some new skills, meet new people, and possibly connect with your co-founder or customers. No idea is too early to take advantage of this opportunity!