The H. Albert Napier Rice Launch Challenge (NRLC) is Rice’s new venture competition, where undergraduate, graduate, MBA students and alumni pitch their business ventures to win a share of $100,000 in equity-free funding, all while launching their venture on the biggest stage of the year.
To better serve our entrepreneurial community, we’ve designed dedicated student and alumni NRLC competitions. With two tracks, we are able to offer more finalist spots (and $$$) to Rice startups.
Application Deadline: March 1
Round One: March 28
Round Two: March 30
Championships: April 19
Applications for current students are now closed. Students from all areas of study are encouraged to apply, along with alumni from any graduating year. If you are a Rice student who will graduate by May 2023, you have the option to apply for both the student and alumni track competitions.
Solo founders and founder teams are welcomed to apply. If applying as a team, members or partners do not need to have a Rice background, however, the co-founder pitching is required to be a Rice student or alumni. Additionally, if applying as a team, please submit only one application. You will have an opportunity to list all team members on the application.
We’ll sit with you one-on-one and walk through any hesitations you may have about the “readiness” of your venture. Grab a time slot here >>
If you have any questions about NRLC or just want to connect with someone at Lilie, watch these recordings of our previous info sessions:
Venture teams will present a 5 minute pitch on Zoom, followed by a 5-minute of Q&A from a panel of judges from across the Rice startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem.
Ten ventures from Round One will be selected to compete in Round Two, which takes place just two days later.
Additionally, you don’t even have to be an NRLC finalist to win funding for your venture! We have three sidecar prizes you can win just by pitching at Round One.
$1000 – RISE@Rice: The Sen Social Pioneer Prize, sponsored by MBA Alum Runsi Sen ‘04
The winning venture for this prize is one that solves or addresses social injustice and challenges with the potential for significant social impact.
$2500 – Frank Liu Jr Prize for Creative Innovations in Music, Fashion, & the Arts, sponsored by the Liu Family
This prize will be awarded to an innovation that exemplifies the drive and passion Frank Liu Jr. had in his life as a musician and creative.
$5000 – Best Undergraduate Venture, sponsored by the Liu Idea Lab
This special sidecar prize will be given to an undergraduate team that best wows the judges with their venture.
Round Two will follow a similar format to Round One: a 5-minute pitch and 8 minutes of Q&A with a panel of judges. However, in Round Two, teams will pitch live, in-person at the Liu Idea Lab.
The 5 finalist teams will present a 5-minute pitch, followed by a 10-minute Q&A from our judges.
Judges will deliberate and select 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Additional prizes will also be rewarded.
Lilie will help you refine your venture and prepare you to give an award-winning pitch by:
Support the student ventures at the Championships on Wednesday, April 19th! Watch pitches, network with the Houston and Rice entrepreneurship community, and vote for your favorite venture! Attendance is open to Rice students, Rice alumni, and friends of Rice.
We are extremely grateful for the generosity of our community. For their sponsorship and support in fostering entrepreneurship at Rice, we’d like to thank:
Are you looking to gain exposure to Houston’s newest and most promising startup ventures, as well as first-class entrepreneurial talent? Or are you looking to partner with potential long-term clients? Contact our team at lilie@rice.edu to see how you can support this experience and join us in the transformation of Houston’s innovation ecosystem.
