Our summits, conferences, and competitions are well-organized, well-attended events, many of which are led by students. They provide valuable opportunities for students across all programs to strengthen their leadership skills, expand their professional networks, and connect with business leaders from Houston’s diverse business community and around the world.
Rice Energy Finance Summit
The Rice Energy Finance Summit (REFS) is an annual student-led conference promoting forward-looking discussions on the most relevant energy finance, investment and strategy topics affecting the global energy industry. The conference brings together senior executives, investors, advisors and policymakers to share their perspective with over 400 fellow energy industry professionals, students, alumni, faculty and staff. For students headed into energy, finance or consulting, these events put you in the same room as the investors, advisers and executives who run those industries.
Our annual, student-run Women in Leadership Conference brings together current and aspiring women business leaders to network, share ideas, and learn from one another. Open to the public, the conference also provides industry leaders with an opportunity to support the development of women leaders and make a meaningful impact on the broader community.
Texas Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Conference
Hosted by Rice Business, the Texas ETA Conference is the premier event for aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs focused on buying and operating small and mid-sized businesses. This one-day, high-impact conference brings together searchers, investors, operators, lenders and advisers for tactical panels and curated networking — designed to move deals forward.
It's amazing how easy it was for me to find a set of people I gelled really well with as my core team for case competitions. We entered a case competition put on by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and ended up flying to D.C. for the final and winning!
Syed Ishtiaq
Full-Time MBA ‘21
Rice Business Energy Case Competition
The Rice Business Energy Case Competition (RECC) is a leading, student-led event that convenes passionate cleantech and energy leaders from communities across the U.S. to discuss strategic solutions for a pressing global issue: the increasing energy demand in the U.S. and the challenge of decarbonization.
This competition provides an unparalleled platform for students to engage with real-world energy problems, present impactful solutions, and showcase their critical analytical and problem-solving skills. Finalists are invited to compete in person at Rice University, followed by valuable networking opportunities with industry leaders and full participation in the prestigious Rice Energy Finance Summit (REFS).
Our annual Veterans Business Battle is the largest veterans-only business competition in the country, with more than $10 million in investment offers extended to our finalists since 2015. By connecting veterans with investors, advisers and resources, it's our goal to lead as many veteran-owned businesses to success as possible.
The Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC) is the world’s largest and richest graduate student startup competition. Every year for RBPC, student teams join us from around the world to compete for over $1 million in cash and prizes. And in the 20 years we’ve been hosting the competition, RBPC competitors have raised more than $6.9 billion in funding. RBPC is run by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, which keeps investors, founders and operators moving through campus all year. You don't have to win a competition to get in the room.
