Burke to conclude 25 years of leadership at Rice Alliance, marking defining chapter for university’s work in entrepreneurship

After nearly 25 years of leadership that helped shape Rice University’s role in entrepreneurship, Brad Burke will conclude his tenure leading the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and programming in the Ion District, Houston’s transformational innovation district, June 30.

“Brad’s impact on Rice extends far beyond any single program or initiative. He grew the Rice Alliance from a promising campus initiative into one of the most respected university-based entrepreneurship platforms,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “We are deeply grateful for this lasting legacy, and we are confident in the leadership moving forward and the future of the Rice Alliance and the Ion District.”

During Burke’s tenure, Rice Business went from unranked in entrepreneurship to the No. 1 graduate entrepreneurship program by The Princeton Review for the past seven years and a top 20 entrepreneurship program in the U.S. News & World Report rankings for the past 14 years — landing in the top 10 the past four.

Image

“Brad didn’t just build programs — he built an ecosystem, a culture and a reputation for Rice that now resonates around the world,” Rice Business Dean Peter Rodriguez said. “Through his vision and steady leadership, Rice became a place where founders are taken seriously, ideas are rigorously supported and entrepreneurship is embedded in the fabric of the university.”

One of Burke’s most visible and enduring contributions is the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC). Under his leadership, the RBPC grew from nine student teams competing for $10,000 into the largest and richest intercollegiate student startup competition in the world, now welcoming 42 student startups competing annually for more than $1 million in prizes.

Beyond campus, Burke played a central role in building Houston’s energy entrepreneurial landscape. He helped establish a world-class energy venture conference and was instrumental in launching and growing Houston Energy and Climate Startup Week, now a cornerstone convening event.

“The Rice Alliance stands as a rare and enduring institution in the entrepreneurial support landscape,” said Adrian Trömel, interim vice president for innovation and chief innovation officer at Rice. “This steady leadership and commitment to building something designed to last is reflected in Brad’s rapid impact at the Ion, which has grown into a vibrant center for founders, partners and community members.”

Burke co-founded the Texas University Network for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2008 to bolster the entrepreneurship programs at every university in Texas. In 2016, the Rice Alliance assumed leadership of the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC), the preeminent university-based consortium designed to foster sharing of best practices.

Burke’s contributions and the Rice Alliance have been recognized both nationally and internationally with numerous awards, including the 2011 GCEC Nasdaq Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence. In 2013 and 2014, Rice Alliance was recognized as the world’s best university startup incubator by UBI Index. In 2023, Burke received both the Trailblazer Award from Houston InnovationMap and was honored by the Deshpande Foundation for outstanding contributions to advancing innovation and entrepreneurship in higher education.

Image

Looking ahead, John (JR) Reale Jr. will serve as interim associate vice president and Rice Alliance executive director beginning April 15. Reale is a longtime Rice supporter, contributing more than 17 years on the Rice Alliance Advisory Board, and a lecturer at Rice Business who joined the Rice Alliance as managing director in 2025.

Reale co-founded Station Houston, which served as a thriving center of gravity for Houston’s startup ecosystem. Since then, through founding Integrated Capital and serving in various roles at the Texas Medical Center, he has invested in and advised countless startups, built teams and raised capital that has driven impact.

“The Rice Alliance has always been about helping founders gain advantages to realize their visions,” Reale said. “Under Brad’s leadership, the Rice Alliance has become a globally recognized platform that is grounded in trust and drives transformational founder outcomes. My commitment is to honor what Brad has built and led while continuing to serve our team and community, deepen relationships and deliver impact.”

Burke will remain at the Rice Alliance as an adviser to ensure a smooth transition until his retirement June 30.

“Working with an amazing team to build the entrepreneurial ecosystem at Rice, in Houston and beyond, has been the privilege of my career,” Burke said. “It has been extremely gratifying to hear entrepreneurs say our efforts changed their lives, while bringing new innovations to market. The organization is well-positioned to help drive exponential growth across startups, investors and the entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

With this leadership transition, the Rice Alliance and the Ion move forward on a strong foundation, supported by the university and many corporate partners.