Pathfinder Summer High
School Program
Ignite Your Entrepreneurial Journey This Summer at Rice University!
July 12-25, 2026
Join the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie) for Rice University Pathfinder, a transformative 2-week residential program designed for high school students (rising Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors) ready to explore the exciting world of entrepreneurship.
Hosted on the Rice University campus in the heart of Houston, TX, this program offers an immersive experience in innovation, collaboration, and venture creation.
Applications are closed for the 2026 Pathfinder program.
Complete the Pathfinder 2027 Interest Form and be the first to know when Pathfinder 2027 launches!
Who is Pathfinder for?
The program is for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors high school students who are curious about entrepreneurship, want to develop their leadership and innovation skills, and are eager to collaborate with like-minded peers.
What makes Pathfinder different?
This isn’t your traditional summer program, where students sit in lectures and learn about theory. Instead, they learn by doing. Participants create their very own venture and dive headfirst into customer discovery, prototyping, and business modeling with an idea that you are passionate about. In addition to on-campus experiences, students will also get acquainted with the wider Houston entrepreneurial community by visiting cutting-edge hubs like Ion and Greentown Labs to engage with successful founders.
The program culminates in Pathfinder Demo Day where you’ll present your new venture concept to prominent Houston entrepreneurs.
Day in the Life of a Lilie Pathfinder Student
Curious about what it’s like to spend two weeks immersed in innovation and entrepreneurship at Rice University? Our sample schedule offers a glimpse into a typical day in the program, blending interactive workshops, and dynamic activities. From engaging discussions on customer discovery and prototyping to field trips and founder lunches, every moment is designed to inspire creativity and build entrepreneurial skills.
Get ready to explore, collaborate, and develop your ideas in a supportive and energetic environment that mirrors the real-life journey of an entrepreneur.
Schedule
9:00-10:00 Morning Check-in & Breakfast
10:00-11:00- Workshop or Guest Speaker
11:00-11:15- Break
11:15-12:15- Workshop or Local Excursion
12:15-1:30- Lunch
1:30- 2:45- Group Work or Lab Session
2:45-3:00- Break
3:00-4:00- Small Group Exercise
4:00-5:00- Takeaways of the Day
5:00-7:00- Enrichment Time
7:00-9:00- Group Dinner and/or Evening Activity
Workshop Topics
Problem Space Identification
Market Segmentation
Customer Discovery
Prototyping
Assumption Identification and Testing
Product Development
Marketing and Sales
Business Model Considerations
Funding Types
Pitching Your Venture
Let’s get into the details…
Our application process is designed to identify passionate, curious, and driven high school students who are eager to explore the world of entrepreneurship. Follow the steps below to begin your journey and secure your spot in this exciting summer experience!
Eligibility Requirements
Students must be a rising high school sophomore, junior, or senior.
Application Process
Step 1: Submit a completed application to the Lilie team via our Pathfinder Application link. Early Bird Application deadline is February 15th. After the Early Bird Application deadline, applications and admissions are rolling until April 1st.
Step 2: If accepted, you will be provided a link to pay your tuition fee. You will also receive onboarding documentation.
Tuition
Tuition for Early Bird Applicants is $6000*. Application deadline is February 15, 2026. Tuition is $7000 for all other applicants. If you are interested in financial aid support information, contact Nick Tucker at Nick.tucker@rice.edu.
*Deposit must be paid on or before March 1, 2026 to be considered as “Early Bird” for tuition purposes.
Pathfinders FAQs
Program Questions
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This is a 2-week residential program hosted by the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie) at Rice University. It’s designed for entrepreneurial high school students to explore innovation, collaborate with peers, and develop business ideas, culminating in a pitch competition.
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The program is for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors high school students who are curious about entrepreneurship, want to develop their leadership and innovation skills, and are eager to collaborate with like-minded peers.
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The program is held on Rice University’s campus in Houston, TX.
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Unfortunately, we are not able to offer academic credit for Rice University Pathfinder participants. If you are interested in earning Rice University college credits, visit the Rice Summer Scholars Program for details.
Application Process
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Applications for the 2026 program have closed.
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Early Bird Application deadline is February 15th. After the Early Bird Application deadline, applications and admissions are rolling. Spots are limited so we highly suggest submitting prior to the February 15th deadline.
After the Early Bird Application deadline, applications and admissions are rolling until April 1st.
What criteria are used to select participants?
We’re looking for students with a strong interest in entrepreneurship, a willingness to learn, and a drive to collaborate and innovate.
Program Logistics
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July 12-25, 2026
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A typical day includes workshops, hands-on lab sessions, field trips, and networking activities. For a detailed look, check out the Example Schedule section above.
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Yes, participants will stay in Rice University’s dormitories, and all meals will be provided during the program.
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Activities include lab time, excursions to places like Ion and Greentown Labs, networking lunches with founders, and engaging workshops on entrepreneurship topics.
Benefits of Participation
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You’ll develop entrepreneurial skills, build meaningful connections, and gain confidence in public speaking, teamwork, and problem-solving.
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Pathfinder helps you craft a standout college application by turning your passion into a tangible project. You’ll take an idea from start to finish, building something meaningful that showcases your unique interests and ambitions. Plus, you’ll connect with Rice Admissions reps and students, gaining valuable insights and connections to set you apart.
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Students will work on their venture idea in teams over the course of the Pathfinder Program. Students will have an opportunity to be named a L.I.L.I.E. (Launching Innovative Leaders in Impactful Entrepreneurship) Innovator based on their performance at the Pathfinder Demo Day. L.I.L.I.E. Innovators (pending Rice University attendance) will be considered for the L.I.L.I.E. Innovation Award which can be applied towards future Rice University Tuition, or towards their student venture via our Launchpad Student Accelerator.
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The Lilie team is not involved in the Rice University admission or enrollment process. We welcome parents and students reach out to Rice University Admissions. Let them know we sent you!
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Tuition for Early Bird Applicants is $6000*. Application deadline is February 15, 2026. Tuition is $7000 for all other applicants. Deposit must be paid on or before March 1, 2026 to be considered as “Early Bird” for tuition purposes.
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If you are interested in financial aid support information, contact Nick Tucker at Nick.tucker@rice.edu.
Costs and Financial Aid
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Pathfinder Demo Day is the program’s finale, where students present their business ideas to prominent entrepreneurs from Houston’s ecosystem for feedback and recognition. Parents are welcome to attend the Demo Day on the penultimate day of Pathfinder.
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Absolutely! The program is designed to help you identify and develop innovative ideas from scratch.
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Our staff provides 24/7 supervision, and the program follows all Rice University safety protocols which require all adults participating in a program must have a current background check (within the last three years) on file and must complete Child Protection Training (within the last two years).
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Participants and their families become part of the Lilie community and will be kept in the loop regarding all Lilie updates and Rice University entrepreneurship programming.
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For more information, email our Program Director, Tony Cordova at tony.cordova@rice.edu.