The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship is Rice University’s nationally-recognized initiative devoted to the support of technology commercialization, entrepreneurship education, and the launch of technology companies. Its mission is to support the creation of technology-based companies and the commercialization of new technologies in the Houston community and Southwest.

Since its inception in 2000, more than 2300 companies have participated in over 190 Rice Alliance programs and have raised more than $5.9 billion in early-stage capital. Rice Alliance hosts an Energy Technology Venture Forum each year featuring pitches from more than 40 startups and the Oil & Gas and Venture Capital firms that will consider investing.

Tara Williams, Director of Venture Program for Rice Alliance, will provide an overview of the innovation efforts at Rice University, and discuss Rice Alliance's role in the Houston R&D and etrepreneurship ecosystem.