Rice alumni are integral to our thriving innovation community. Whether you're building your own venture, investing in the next generation of entrepreneurs, or sharing your expertise, Rice Innovation offers meaningful ways to stay engaged with the university ranked #1 in entrepreneurship by the Princeton Review for seven consecutive years.
For Alumni Entrepreneurs
Rice Innovation provides ongoing support for alumni founders at every stage of their entrepreneurial journey—from early-stage ideation to scaling successful ventures.
Co-Curricular Program Access
Alumni entrepreneurs can participate in select Rice Innovation programs, workshops, and accelerators. Access entrepreneurship training, business model validation support, and connections to funding opportunities that helped launch your Rice journey.
- Clean Energy Accelerator
- Rice Biotech Launchpad?
- Woodside Decarbonization Accelerator?
Nexus Alumni Founder Benefits
Nexus, Rice's on-campus innovation center, offers alumni founders workspace access, meeting facilities, and community connections. Stay plugged into Rice's entrepreneurship ecosystem while building your venture with access to mentorship, events, and collaboration opportunities.
Ion District Events
Join networking events, pitch competitions, speaker series, and industry gatherings at Houston's premiere innovation hub. The Ion District connects Rice alumni with the broader Houston entrepreneurship ecosystem, creating opportunities for partnerships, investment, and community building.
Give Back
Your experience and expertise can transform the trajectory of Rice student entrepreneurs, faculty researchers, and early-stage ventures.
Become a Mentor
Share your entrepreneurial journey with Rice students and researchers navigating their own innovation paths. Mentorship opportunities range from one-time office hours and pitch feedback to ongoing advisory relationships with high-potential ventures. Rice alumni mentors provide invaluable real-world perspectives on fundraising, product development, team building, hiring, and scaling—insights that accelerate student and faculty success.
Whether you're an experienced founder, corporate innovation leader, investor, or industry expert, your guidance helps Rice entrepreneurs avoid common pitfalls and seize opportunities. Join our network of alumni mentors supporting the next generation of Rice innovators.
Investment & Donation Opportunities
Support Rice Innovation through strategic investments and philanthropic giving that accelerate university entrepreneurship and technology commercialization.
- Innovation Programs – Fund scholarships for Innovation Fellows, award One Small Step Grants, support university startup accelerators, endow entrepreneurship competition prizes, or sponsor specific programs within Rice Innovation
Your investment, financial or philanthropic, directly enables the next breakthrough Rice venture and strengthens the ecosystem that fostered your own success.
Guest Lecture & Workshop Opportunities
Bring your expertise into Rice classrooms and entrepreneurship programs. Guest lectures, workshops, and masterclasses allow you to share industry insights, startup lessons, and career guidance with students across all disciplines. These engagements inspire the next generation while keeping you connected to university innovation and emerging talent.