Napier Rice Launch Challenge

The H. Albert Napier Rice Launch Challenge (NRLC) is Rice’s new venture competition, where undergraduate, graduate, and MBA students 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.

 

Applications are now open for the 2026 NRLC Championships. 

Apply Now!

Submit your application by March 1, 2026.

If you have any questions or would like to chat, reach out to Nick Tucker at nick.tucker@rice.edu.

 

 

2025 NRLC Championship Winners

First Place – $50,000

Veloci

Second Place – $25,000

SteerBio

Third Place – $15,000

Labshare

Outstanding Undergraduate Award – $2,500

Kinnections

Audience Choice Award – $2,000

Labshare

Interdisciplinary Innovation Prize sponosored by OURI – $1,000

Haast Autonomous

Frank Liu Jr. Prize for Creative Innovation in Music, Fashion, & the Arts – $1,500

Craftroom

Outstanding Achievement in Artificial Intelligence Prize – $1,000

Kaducia

Outstanding Achievement in Social Impact Prize – $1,000

Kinnections

Outstanding Achievement in Consumer Goods Prize – $1,000

Actile Technologies

Outstanding Achievement in Healthcare Innovations Prize – $1,000

Haast Autonomous

 

See previous winners!

2021 Winners | 2022 Winners | 2023 Winners | 2024 Winners

 

Meet the 2025 NRLC Final Top 5

After weeks of competition, these companies proved themselves to be the top ventures this year. Find out more below and connect with the founders!

SteerBio

Co-Founders | Martha Fowler, Mor Sela Golan, Alvaro Moreno Lozano

SteerBio’s LymphGuide is a patented, single-surgery hydrogel solution that restores lymphatic function by promoting vessel growth and reducing rejection, offering a transformative, cost-effective treatment for lymphedema.

Veloci

Founder | Tyler Strothman

Veloci Running creates innovative shoes that eliminate the trade-off between foot pain and leg tightness, empowering runners to train comfortably and reduce injury risk—so every stride feels strong and pain-free.

Haast Autonomous

Co-Founders | Jason Chen, Ege Halac, Santiago Brent

Haast Autonomous is building unmanned, long-range VTOL aircraft with cold storage to revolutionize organ transport—delivering life-saving medical supplies roof-to-roof faster, safer, and more efficiently than current systems.

Kinnections

Co-Founders | Emmie Casey, Tomi Kuye

Kinnections’ Glove is a lightweight, wearable device that uses targeted vibrations to reduce tremors and improve motor control in Parkinson’s patients, offering a non-invasive, portable solution to enhance daily life.

Labshare

Co-Founders | Julian Figueroa Jr, John Tian, Mingyo Kang, Arnan Bawa, Daniel Kuo

Labshare is an AI-powered web app that streamlines lab inventory and resource sharing, reducing waste and improving efficiency by connecting neighboring labs through a centralized, real-time platform.

Competition Details

Students from all areas of study are encouraged to apply, as a solo founder or as a team. If registering 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. If registering as a team, please submit only one registration form. You will have an opportunity to list all team members on the registration form.

Requirements

  • One registration form per team
  • A maximum of 5 members per team; you may also register as a solo founder
  • The venture must be founded and/or lead by a current Rice undergraduate, graduate, or MBA student
  • The venture doesn’t have to be fully launched but must be more than an idea.

 

NRLC Prizes

In celebration of Rice’s rich diversity of entrepreneurial endeavors, we are proud to offer a variety of prizes including:

  • First Place — $50,000
  • Second Place — $25,000
  • Third Place — $15,000
  • Outstanding Undergraduate Award — $2,500
  • Audience Choice Award — $2,000
  • Frank Liu Jr. Prize for Creative Innovation in Music, Fashion, & the Arts — $1,500
  • Outstanding Achievement in Artificial Intelligence Prize — $1,000
  • Outstanding Achievement in Climate Solutions Prize — $1,000
  • Outstanding Achievement in Consumer Goods Prize — $1,000

 

Applications are now open for the 2026 NRLC Championships. 

Apply Now!

Submit your application by March 1, 2026.

If you have any questions or would like to chat, reach out to Nick Tucker at nick.tucker@rice.edu.

 

How It Works

NRLC Round 1

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.

To accommodate different spring break schedules, MBAs will give their Round 1 pitches on Tuesday, March 17, 2025. Undergraduates and non-MBA grad students will give their Round 1 pitches on Tuesday, March 24, 2025.

 

NRLC Round 2

Round 2 will follow a similar format to Round 1. However, in Round 2, teams will pitch live, in-person at the Liu Idea Lab. NRLC Round 2 will be held on Thursday, April 2, 2025.

 

NRLC Championships

The five finalist teams will present a five-minute pitch, followed by Q&A from our judges, live, on-stage, in front of the whole Rice entrepreneurship community. Judges will deliberate and select 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Additional prizes will also be awarded. NRLC Championships will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2025 at Grand Hall in the Rice Memorial Center.

 

How to Prepare

Lilie Resources

Need additional support? We got you. Sign up for one-on-one pitch coaching with us!

Lilie will help you refine your idea and prepare you to give an award-winning pitch by:

  • Walking you through any questions you may have about the readiness of your venture
  • Conducting a dedicated deck review
  • Providing feedback on your pitch and helping develop your delivery

Self-Service Resources

Interested in sponsoring?

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 Nick Tucker at nick.tucker@rice.edu to see how you can support this experience and join us in the transformation of Houston’s innovation ecosystem.