Prizes

Goose Capital is proud to sponsor the Grand Prize Investment Award (“Grand Prize”) for the Rice Business Plan Competition this year, as it has since 2005. Goose Capital is an early stage investment firm comprised of successful serial entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 executives. Goose Capital invests ~$7 M annually in early-stage breakthrough technology ventures primarily in Seed and Series A rounds. Goose Capital prides itself on helping founders navigate the complexities of scaling startups by utilizing the deep industry and business expertise within the group's ranks.

Through the Grand Prize, Goose Capital aims to develop a close relationship the winner, and help the entrepreneurs launch and build a successful business. Goose Capital is committed to the mission of the RBPC and the success of its Grand Prize winners.

The investment structure for the Grand Prize is a convertible note, the key terms of which are summarized in a separate document. This structure is intended to be concise, simple, and founder-friendly, and are "better than market” terms for a Company of this stage (no valuation cap, interest rate of 8%, discount rate of 20%). Thus, Goose Capital expects that the Company will sign the term sheet within two weeks of winning and close the investment within one month of the RBPC.

As it has done in the past, Goose is interested in opportunities to invest capital beyond the Grand Prize amount. For example, the largest initial investment in a Grand Prize winner to date has been as high as $2,500,000. The largest total investment in an RBPC winner (over several rounds) has been over $6 million. In total, Goose Capital has invested more than $20 million in past RBPC winners. To expedite funding of the Grand Prize, however, Goose prefers to explore and negotiate these additional investment opportunities after the initial $150,000 Grand Prize investment is closed.

The second place finisher at the Rice Business Plan Competition will receive a $100,000 investment. The investment prize will be provided by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, and is sponsored by Finger Interests, the Anderson Family Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, Greg Novak, and Tracy Druce. The investment structure for the 2nd place overall prize will most likely be a convertible note, intended to be concise, simple, and founder-friendly, with “better than market” terms for a Company of this stage (no valuation cap, interest rate of 8%, discount rate of 20%, no board seat).

The third place finisher at the Rice Business Plan Competition will receive a $50,000 investment. The investment prize will be provided by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, and is sponsored by Finger Interests, the Anderson Family Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, Greg Novak, and Tracy Druce. The investment structure for the 3 nd place overall prize will most likely be a convertible note, intended to be concise, simple, and founder-friendly, with “better than market” terms for a Company of this stage (no valuation cap, interest rate of 8%, discount rate of 20%, no board seat).

All finalists will be awarded a prize with 4th-7th place receiving $5,000 non-dilutive cash each sponsored by Norton Rose Fulbright, EY, Chevron Technology Ventures and Shell Ventures. 
 

Plus, 4th-7th will also receive an investment prize of $20,000. 
The investment prize will be provided by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, and is sponsored by Finger Interests, the Anderson Family Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation, Greg Novak, and Tracy Druce. (Deal terms similar to 2nd and 3rd place investment prize.)

Teams that finish first or second in the First Round flights on Friday will advance to the Semi-final Round. In addition, Friday’s highest-scoring third place team overall will also advance to the Semi-Final Round.

These fifteen teams will compete in the Semi-Final Round, split into three flights.  The top 2 teams in each of the 3 Semi-Final flights will advance to the Final Round.

Teams that compete in the Semi-final round that do not advance to the finals will receive the following cash prizes:

• Semi-Final Round – Flight 1: 3rd Place: $2,000; 4th Place:  $1,500; 5th Place:  $1,250
• Semi-Final Round – Flight 2: 3rd Place: $2,000; 4th Place:  $1,500; 5th Place:  $1,250
• Semi-Final Round – Flight 3: 3rd Place: $2,000; 4th Place:  $1,500; 5th Place:  $1,250

All other startups that do not make the semi-finals will be awarded $950 each. 

All teams that do not advance to the Semi-Final Round will advance to the Wildcard Round on Saturday morning. The top scoring team from the Wildcard Round will advance to the Final Round. Teams must compete in the Wildcard Round and be present at the Awards Banquet to receive their cash prizes.

All teams will win cash prizes in the Wildcard Round. There will be six Wildcard Flights, and every team will win one of the following prizes, depend in on where they finish in their flight:

• 1st Place:  $1,000
• 2nd Place:  $900
• 3rd Place:  $900  
• 4th Place:  $800  
• 5th Place:  $800

The top 3 overall teams in the Wildcard Round will receive the special Ed Molter Memorial Prizes sponsored by Egan Nelson, in lieu of the lesser prizes mentioned above. These 3 teams will win the following:

• Wildcard Round Winner:  $2,000 prize and advance to the Finals
• Wildcard Round Runner-up (2nd place):  $1,750 cash prize
• Wildcard Round Third Place (3rd place):  $1,500 cash prize

All 42 teams are eligible for, and compete for, all of the Mercury Elevator Pitch cash prizes. Teams will present their elevator pitch on Thursday afternoon, April 7, 2022. Judges will score the elevator pitches based on their effectiveness and persuasiveness of their pitch!

Five top teams with the best elevator pitches will win cash prizes:

• First place overall: $1,000
• Runner Up in Each Sector: $500 each

You can re-watch the pitches on YouTube after the Elevator Pitch Competition by Friday, April 9 at YouTube.com/RiceAlliance.

$5,000 cash divided among 5 winners  ($1,000 each)

The Anbarci Family is providing five $1,000 prizes for Company Showcase prize winners which will be voted on throughout the Company Showcase & Networking Reception at the Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 12, from 6pm to 7pm. Attendees will “vote” on their favorite showcased by placing stickers on the score sheets at each table.   The 5 startups that secure the most stickers will each win $1,000.  Teams are encouraged to attract attendees to their table and try to secure the votes (i.e., “stickers”) from attendees.  All startups are eligible for this prize.

Five winners: $1,000 each

Two $25,000 cash prizes

As the fastest growing city in the Houston region, Pearland offers affordable housing, outstanding schools, safe neighborhoods and superb quality of life - everything a growing company needs to be successful. As the lead economic development agency for this thriving, business-friendly community, the Pearland Economic Development Corporation (PEDC), offers assistance with state and local incentives, relocation services, and workforce training and development. 

Whether you need assistance with your business relocation, expansion, or start-up, the PEDC is perfectly positioned to help you discover all that Pearland has to offer. For more information, visit www.pearlandedc.com. 

Eligibility: The two $25,000 Pearland EDC Spirit of Entrepreneurship cash prizes (non-dilutive) will be given to teams that exemplify the spirit of entrepreneurship as determined by the Pearland EDC judge group at the Rice Business Plan Competition. All 42 teams at the competition are eligible for these cash awards, regardless of where the teams finish at the competition.

In partnership with the Southwest National Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium (SWPDC.org) at Texas Children’s Hospital / Baylor College of Medicine, this annual pediatric medical device prize has been awarded at the Rice Business Plan Competition for the past 5 years. Up to $25,000 in cash awards are available to support the advancement and commercialization of novel pediatric medical devices.

Eligibility: Eligible devices must be FDA-regulated medical devices with a pediatric indication (0 - 21 years of age). If no teams meet the criteria or requirements, the prize will not be awarded. The prize will be decided by the SWNPDC judging team. Up to two startups at the RBPC may be awarded the SWPDC Prize. If two startups are chosen, the cash award for each will be $12,500.

$25,000 cash prize, with additional in-kind services (up to $25,000 in value)

Amentum will award a $25,000 cash prize to companies with the most potential to offer beneficial work related to the JETS II contract. This work may include applications that advance NASA’s missions, projects that align with JSC focus areas, systems that are based on NASA-licensed intellectual property, or products/services that support a low Earth orbit or lunar-based economy. The prize also includes up to $25,000 of in-kind services with access to Amentum’s subject matter experts in helping advance Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), access to Amentum’s lab facilities, and venture development advisory support through Amentum JETS II teammate Intuitive Machines and partner WRX. 

At Amentum under the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Engineering, Technology & Science (JETS) II contract, we are taking giant steps to support NASA’s mission to lead human space exploration. Amentum provides engineering and science services and solutions for JSC in support of major programs such as the Artemis Moon missions, the International Space Station, the Orion Crew Module, astromaterials and deep space research, along with project collaboration with numerous NASA centers and commercial aerospace companies. In partnership with NASA, we have created, designed, developed, and tested systems that enable human spaceflight to achieve breakthroughs in our understanding of Earth, the universe, and ourselves.

Eligibility: The prize will be awarded to the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC) team(s) that meet the criteria defined above as determined by the “Rising Stars Space Technology and Commercial Aerospace Award” judges at the RBPC regardless of where the team finishes at the competition. If no teams meet the criteria, the prize will not be awarded. For more information 

For more than 150 years, NOV has pioneered innovations that empower the global energy industry, enabling our customers to safely produce abundant energy while minimizing their environmental impact. The energy industry depends on our deep expertise and technology to continually improve operations and assist in efforts to advance the energy transition towards a more sustainable future.

 NOV will offer a $10,000 cash prize to the RBPC team which is deemed to have an innovative, impactful energy technology in the energy, cleantech and sustainability sector.

Eligibility: all startups that have a technology or application in the energy, AI, GenAI, cleantech or sustainability space will be considered for this prize. The $25,000 cash prize is sponsored by NOV.

$250K prize investment to an RBPC company selected by Goose Capital members attending the RBPC.
In addition to sponsoring the Grand Prize, Goose Capital will select on startup for an additional $250,000 Investment.

Goose Capital is an early stage investment firm comprised of successful serial entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 executives. Goose Capital invests ~$7 M annually in early-stage breakthrough technology ventures primarily in Seed and Series A rounds. Goose Capital prides itself on helping founders navigate the complexities of scaling startups by utilizing the deep industry and business expertise within the group's ranks.

The OWL Investment Prize: $100,000++ Investment
The OWL Investment Group (“OWLs”) is committed to investing $100,000 or more in one or possibly two exceptional startups at the 2025 RBPC. Past investments have ranged from $100,000 to nearly $1M, sometimes even backing semifinalists — driven entirely by the strength of the opportunity.
As a collective of highly engaged and seasoned angel investors, OWLs have invested nearly $10M in RBPC companies to date. The group is led by:

• Robert Winter, a seasoned Silicon Valley venture investor with over 50 deals and 14 IPOs, and
• Greg Price, an expert in startup finance and operations.

We back extraordinary teams — those with confidence, passion, and relentless drive, yet humble and coachable. The best contenders don’t just identify a problem; they redefine how it’s solved with an overwhelmingly disruptive solution — not just another ‘better’ version.

We have a strongeer preference for deep tech as a driver of transformational change. Beyond funding, we take an active role in supporting our portfolio companies, leveraging our experience, connections, and strategic guidance to accelerate their success.

OWLs don’t invest in “me too” ideas. We invest in visionaries who can redefine industries.

Eligibility: The OWL Investment Group will typically award its investment prize to one of the 7 finalist teams, but the group will consider all 42 startups at the competition for investment.  The OWL Investment Group will conduct additional due diligence after the competition with a goal of closing the investment with balanced terms as soon as possible but no later than 4Q 2024. The OWL group has led investment rounds and also followed other lead investors in the past. The OWL group will be looking to ensure that the startup:

• Addresses a real problem that customers are willing to pay for
•  Has a large addressable market
• Has a unique technology solution that is differentiated sustainable
• Has an advantage over competition
• Has a management team that is coachable and interesting in working with the Owl group

The Houston Angel Network (HAN) is the oldest angel network in Texas and has been ranked as the #1 most active investment network in the United States. Its members have invested more than $100M in more than 400 deals since its inception in 2001. 

Eligibility: All 42 teams at the RBPC are eligible to receive this prize, but it is anticipated that the Houston Angel Network Investment Prize will be awarded to a semi-finalist or finalist, as selected by the Houston Angel Network and will be in the form of convertible debt note, Equity or SAFE subject to due diligence.

The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE), founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals with roots in the Indus region, has grown to become one of the largest entrepreneurship groups in the world. TiE currently has 15,000 members in 61 chapters across 14 countries, including a vibrant chapter in Houston. TiE’s mission is to foster entrepreneurship by generating and nurturing our next generation of entrepreneurs. We do this through mentoring, networking, education, incubating, and investing. The TiE Houston Angel Investment Prize has been formed by TiE angel investors from Houston and globally.

Eligibility: All 42 teams at the RBPC are eligible to receive this prize, regardless of where a team finishes at the competition, but it is anticipated that the TiE Angel Investment Prize will be awarded to a Finalist at the RBPC, as selected by the TiE Angels, most likely in the form of a Convertible Debt Note, after due diligence is completed. 

The Valhalla Investment Network will award a $75,000 investment prize to a startup at the 2025 RBPC, with the final amount subject to confirmation based on final investor interest. The Valhalla Investment Network (VIN) is a Texas non-profit organization and a network of Rice University students and alumni interested in venture investments. VIN provides opportunities to invest, learn, and seek funding. For more information on VIN, visit www.valhalla-investment.com

Eligibility: All 42 teams at the RBPC are eligible to receive this prize, but it is anticipated that the Valhalla Investment Network Prize will be awarded to a semi-finalist or finalist, as selected by the VIN and will be in the form of convertible debt note, equity or SAFE, subject to due diligence.

“New Climate Ventures (“NCV”) is an early-stage Houston-based venture capital fund that invests in innovative companies that decarbonize our planet using technology. NCV believes in supporting passionate entrepreneurs who are making a difference by speeding the new energy transition. The group awards a $25,000 investment prize to a startup in the energy, cleantech and sustainability sector.

Eligibility: all startups that have a technology or application in the energy, cleantech or sustainability space will be considered for this prize. The investment prize will be in the form of a Convertible Note, post due diligence. 

The nCourage Investment Group members are successful women entrepreneurs and investors from across the US who believe in supporting passionate entrepreneurs who are making a difference. nCourage is celebrating its 15th year in supporting the RBPC with this award. The group will award a $25,000 investment prize to a team that includes:

• A woman as CEO or as a member of founding leadership team, and
• At least one woman on the RBPC presenting team in Houston

Eligibility: The nCourage  Investment Group will consider all 42 teams at the RBPC that meet the above criteria, regardless of where the team places at the competition. The investment prize will be in the form of a Convertible Note.

Health-tech bootcamp accelerator program invite with contingent $250,000 investment prize

TMC Innovation partners with founders to help them access opportunities within the Texas Medical Center community towards building and growing their startups. We help you navigate opportunities for clinical validation and deployment into the world’s largest medical marketplace – the Texas Medical Center.

TMC Innovation will select a promising startup to participate in our Accelerator Bootcamp, a one week immersion with clinicians, experts, investors, and our team to help them identify opportunities and champions at TMC. Following Bootcamp, a subset of companies are invited into the Accelerator, a six-month program focused on furthering these strategic relationships.

Eligibility: All healthcare and life science startups at the RBPC will be considered for this prize. Upon successful completion of the Accelerator and due diligence, the TMC Venture Fund will seek to invest $250,000 in your startups.

In-kind services for all seven finalists

Baker Botts has a leading emerging company and venture capital (ECVC) practice. Our ECVC team focuses on emerging companies and the legal issues surrounding them. We solve complex business problems, protect the newest technology, and help guide innovative, ambitious companies on the right path with an interdisciplinary approach that leverages deep real-world experience from our many practice areas. Our ECVC corporate and intellectual property lawyers offer diverse strengths and formation-to-exit experience and capabilities across a wide range of industries including high-tech, energy, and life sciences. Baker Botts will offer up to $15,000 of in-kind legal services for the grand prize winner and $10,000 each for the remaining finalists at the 2025 competition.

Eligibility: Baker Botts’ in-kind legal services are subject to review by our Baker Botts lawyers. Prior to advising the winning RBPC companies, each company will be required to clear our business intake procedures for new clients, our standard firm conflicts check, and sign an appropriate engagement letter. Baker Botts will discuss firm engagement and conflict check procedures once the winning companies are selected. Absent any conflict, we look forward to having the opportunity to provide in-kind legal services to the winning companies.

Entrepreneur Futures Network (EFN) mentors have offered pre-competition mentoring and advice to each of the 42 teams who have been invited to participate at the 2024 RBPC. They have provided advice in areas such as refining a business plan, refining financial models, and improving presentation skills.