2027 Rice Business Plan Competition

The Rice Business Plan Competition gives collegiate entrepreneurs real-world experience to pitch their startups, enhance their business strategy and learn what it takes to launch a successful company. 2027 will make our 27th year of the RBPC. Hosted by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, the RBPC has grown to become the world’s largest and richest student start-up competition, with teams competing for more than $1 million in cash, investments and prizes.

 

You are initially eligible for RBPC 2027 if your startup:

• is student-driven, student-created and/or student-managed
• has at least two current student founders or management team members
• are from a college or university anywhere in the world
• has not raised more than $500,000 in equity capital prior to July 1, 2026
• has not generated revenue of more than $300,000 in any 12-month period prior to July 1, 2026
• is seeking funding or capital
• is a viable investment opportunity

Important Dates:

November 9, 2026Applications open!
Check the Eligibility page to see if you meet the requirements! And if you are, apply here.November TBA
4:00 PM CSTInfo Webinar: Everything You Wanted to Know about Applying to the RBPC
Registration coming coon!December TBA
4:00 PM CSTInfo Webinar: Everything You Wanted to Know about Applying to the RBPC
Registration coming soon! January 29, 2027
11:59 PM CSTApplications close
 Early to Mid FebruaryApplication Screening processFebruary 16
12:00 PM CSTAnnouncement of startups invited to RBPC 2027February 22 
by 5:00 PM CSTInvited startups confirm commitment to compete via the application platform; last day to withdraw without penalty.April 8-10RBPC at Rice University in Houston, Texas

Apply for the RBPC here!