RBPC 2025 hosted by RA web 3

 

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Grow Your Startup. Build the future.

Compete in the RBPC

  • Why Apply?
  • Who's Eligible:
  • How and When to Apply:

Grow Your Startup. Build the future.

Compete in the RBPC

Why Apply?

  • Set yourself apart from other student-led ventures
  • Get in-depth mentoring to prepare you for the event
  • Pitch to investors who are looking for their next early-stage deal
  • Have multiple opportunities to showcase your startup to a wide audience
  • Receive real-time, informative feedback and guidance from sector specialists 
Mentorship. Funding. Community.

Who's Eligible:

Any graduate-student startup, in a broad range of industries, from any university, in any degree program, in any country, can apply to the RBPC. Eligibility requirements include: 

  • There must be at least two current students in your startup and at least one graduate-level student founder or management team member in your startup.
  • Your startup cannot have passed certain milestones
  • Your startup will fall into one of four sectors: Energy, Clean Technology and Sustainability Life Science and Healthcare Solutions Hard Tech Digital Enterprise Consumer Products and Services

We encourage teams from multiple universities and across graduate degree programs, but do not accept students in post-doc or certificate programs. 

Startups from around the world.

How and When to Apply:

Sometimes just taking the first step is the hardest part, but applying for the RBPC is simple—especially when you've got a big idea to show us. 

  • Apply online at rbpc.poetic.io/sign-in 
  • Answer all the questions, fill in all the text fields
  • Upload a 2-5 page executive summary in PDF format 

Applications for RBPC 2023 will open December 14, 2022 and close February 28, 2023 at 11:59 PM CST. 

Preview the application before applying
Swiftsku founders from RBPC

Jumpstart Your Growth

2021 Grand Prize winner, SwiftSku, has already raised $3.2 Million—including the $432,667 in cash and other prize awarded in the competition. 

With the money, they’ll be able to hire additional engineering talent and grow their sales team, they say. The startup’s goal now is to expand their client list, from just over 200 convenience stores now to 5,000 by May 2022. “We’re pushing it,” Mazur says. “It’s all about carrying the momentum we have and keeping that growth on track.”

 

Read More about their success

Still not convinced?

2020 Grand Prize Winner Robert Hatcher, founder of Aurign, took home $465,000 in investment prizes and he said, "The networking and connections you can get from the RBPC can literally change your startup's life." Hear more about the competition and why last year's winner thinks you should apply: 

Compete in the world's largest and richest student startup competition

With access to mentors, real-world experience and investment opportunities, the Rice Business Plan Competition will help you stay on target and realize your potential. Join a network of 700+ RBPC alumni who have collectively raised $2.675+ billion in funding. 

Applications for #RBPC24 will open in December 2023!

For inspiration, meet the #RBPC23 Competitors