Rice Alliance Recognized as Leading Entrepreneurship Center in U.S.

The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship was recognized in October 2007 as the leading university entrepreneurship center in the United States by the National Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (NCEC) in Syracuse, N.Y.

Founded in 1999, the Rice Alliance is a flagship initiative that involves the George R. Brown School of Engineering, the Wiess School of Natural Sciences and the Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Management. Since its inception, the Rice Alliance has assisted in the launch of more than 210 new technology-based companies that have raised more than $300 million in early stage funding.

The NCEC is an organization representing more than 150 university-based entrepreneurship centers in the United States. The NCEC Award for Outstanding Contributions to Enterprise Creation spotlights a center that helps establish a high number of viable, successful new companies. Criteria include the number of new enterprises supported by the center, investment by venture capital and outside investors in these businesses, business incubation services and the organization of business plan competitions. Rice was selected to receive the award by directors of entrepreneurship centers at NCEC member peer institutions.

In addition to supporting new technology-based companies, the Rice Alliance organizes the annual Rice Business Plan Competition, which has rapidly grown into the largest and richest intercollegiate business plan competition in the world. In April 2008, teams from 36 of the top graduate schools from around the world competed for more than $600,000 in total cash and prizes.