2015 Rice Business Plan Competition
Cash Prizes and Awards
In total, more than $1.5 Million in cash and in-kind prizes will be awarded to the winning teams.
Summary of Major Prizes:
1. $250,000 – GOOSE Society Investment Prize: the Grand Prize winner will receive $250,000 in the form of
equity investment from The GOOSE Society of TexasTM, most likely in the form of a Convertible Debt Note.
Founded, in 2005, the GOOSE Society of TexasTM is a group of successful company founders, entrepreneurs,
and venture capitalists who believe it is their privilege and obligation to recycle the fruits of their successes.
They believe the best way to do this is to support entrepreneurship education, and establish programs and
examples to motivate others to help recognize, study, promote, teach, practice, support and celebrate
entrepreneurship. They have invested over $20 million in past RBPC winners and competitors who have
launched their companies in California, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kentucky, Texas, and other regions.
2. $250,000* – OWL Investment Prizes: The OWL Investment prizes were created to increase the total Grand
Prize of the competition, create a new community of involved judges, and continue to encourage the most
promising teams to compete at the Rice Business Plan Competition. More than 40 angel investor RBPC
judges are participating in 2015. The OWL Investment Prize is usually provided in the form of a Convertible
Debt note. (*Note: this amount may vary slightly, based on the final number of OWL investors who
participate in the OWL prize. It is likely that the OWL prize will be split among two teams: the grand prize
winner and a team chosen by the OWL Investment Group.) There is no geographic requirement on the
winner of these awards.
3. $125,000 – Texas Halo Fund Early-stage Investment Prize: Extraordinary entrepreneurship – demonstrated
by independent thinking, tireless persistence, belief in your big idea, talent to motivate your team,
fortitude, ability to change and adapt to the marketplace, and the aptitude to take a great idea and a
small amount of capital and build a globally competitive business – will determine the winner of the Texas
Halo Early Stage Capital Prize.
The Halo Fund’s 60+ members are all seasoned angel investors, several of whom have been judges
at this competition for many years. Their combined experience traverses numerous industries and each
has been a successful entrepreneur, business owner, or executive in their own right.
The Texas Halo Fund prize will be in the form of convertible debt note, equity investment, or similar
instrument and may require the company to relocated to or operate in Texas. The investment may be
offered in traunches and/or may be split among two teams.
4. $100,000 – Mercury Fund Technology Transfer Investment Prize: Mercury Fund will award a $100,000 Tech
Transfer Investment Prize to the best business plan based on a technology developed by university faculty,
researchers, and/or students. The purpose of this prize is to encourage the commercialization of university
technologies. The terms of the investment will be determined by the Mercury Fund and the winning team.
The Mercury Fund is a seed and early-stage venture capital firm, with over $200 million under management,
based in Houston, Texas. The Mercury Fund has led funding rounds for several RBPC competitors, including
Black Locus, Ambiq Micro, and Beta Glide.
5. $50,000 – Opportunity HoustonSM Investment Prizes: two $25,000 equity investment prizes in the form of
convertible debt notes will be awarded for:
- $25,000 for the best Healthcare and Life Science team
- $25,000 for the best Advanced Technology team
To qualify for these two $25,000 awards the company must locate its Headquarters in the Houston
region. These two $25,000 prizes are sponsored by the Opportunity HoustonSM program of the Greater
Houston Partnership.
6. $50,000 – U.S. Department of Energy Clean Energy Prize: The U.S. Department of Energy will award
$50,000 to the team with the most promising energy technology to promote innovation at our nation's
universities and ensure our nation's competiveness in the clean energy economy of tomorrow, to secure our
energy future, and create jobs in the U.S. This prize is issued in terms of a cash grant (i.e., not an
investment).
7. $80,000 SURGE Ventures Most Innovative Energy Tech Startup Investment Prize (plus, $150,000 of in-kind
support): This prize celebrates innovation within the energy industry. The winning team must have a
disruptive technology and the ability to execute a commercialization strategy on a large scale. Even the best
startups require mentorship, guidance, industry connections, and capital. The prize includes:
 Invitation to join next SURGE Venture Program
 $30,000 investment prize
 $50,000 - an option for an additional $50,000 convertible note
 150,000 in-kind support: office space, legal support, outsourced CFO, hosting, marketing and design,
and other services
9. TMC|X $25,000 Life Science Accelerator Prize: the top life healthcare/life science team will be
automatically invited to join the next cohort of the TMC|X Accelerator. Upon successful completion of the
accelerator program, the company will be awarded a $25,000 investment from the TMC|X. TMC|X provides
life science and digital health entrepreneurs the essential resources for growth including office and meeting
space, training curriculum, a core group of business and legal experts and a network of advisors and
potential investors. The inaugural TMC|X program launched in Spring 2015.
10. Wells Fargo $15,000 Clean Technology Innovation Prize: Wells Fargo, a Diamond Underwriter and Event
Sponsor of the Rice Alliance, will offer a new $15,000 Wells Fargo Clean Technology Innovation Prize
designed to encourage students to commercialize clean technology innovations, and connect them with
investors and mentors to help them launch their startups.
11. $307,300 – 65 Other Cash Prizes: Every team that competes in every round and attends the Awards
Banquet will be guaranteed to win at least one of 77 total cash prizes. Some teams win more than one cash
prize; see attached prize listing. In total, we expect to award more than $1.5 million in prizes, including the
9 cash prizes listed above ($895,000), plus 65 other cash prizes totaling $307,300, and in-kind prizes totaling
$312,000.
RBPC – Finalist Prizes:
Grand Prize (1st Place Team): Total Grand Prize Value: $458,000*
$250,000 GOOSE Society Investment Prize
$125,000 OWL Investment Prize*
$25,000 Opportunity HoustonSM Investment Prize (Greater Houston Partnership)
$58,000 In-kind Prizes:
+ Branding Design and Marketing Communications from BrandExtract and
The Padgett Group ($25,000 value)
+ One year of free website development from ContentActive ($30,000 value)
+ One year of Treasury Management Services from BBVA Compass ($3,000 value)
+ Present their company at a monthly meeting of HAN
+ Discount travel vouchers from Southwest Airlines
+ Ring NASDAQ bell at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City
Second Place Team:
Total Prize Value: $35,000*
$25,000 Opportunity HoustonSM Investment Prize (Greater Houston Partnership)
$15,000 Cash
Third Place Team:
$7,500 Cash
Fourth Place Team:
$5,000 Cash
Fifth Place Team:
$4,000 Cash
Sixth Place Team:
$3,000 Cash
*OWL Choice Prize:
$125,000 Investment Prize: the OWL Investment group anticipates awarding a
second investment prize of $125,000 to one of the six finalists, as chosen by the
OWL Investment Group. Note that the OWL Investment group might decide to
provide 100% of their prize money to a single team, or decide to modify the
amount of their prize(s), or might decide to allocate their prize money in a
different manner among two or more teams.
Insperity® Workforce Optimization®: The top six finalists will receive a discount of 75% off the Insperity
Workforce Optimization® enrollment fee.
Semi-Final Round: (Saturday morning)
Note: The first and second place teams of the First Round and the highest scoring third place team overall will
advance to the Semi-Final Round on Saturday morning (15 teams total). The first and second place winners of the
Semi-Final Rounds will advance to the finals on Saturday afternoon (six teams in total). The remaining semi-final
teams will win prize money as follows:
Semi-Final Round – Flight 1: 3rd Place: $2,000; 4th Place: $1,500; 5th Place: $1,250
Semi-Final Round – Flight 2: 3rd Place: $2,000; 4th Place: $1,500; 5th Place: $1,250
Semi-Final Round – Flight 3: 3rd Place: $2,000; 4th Place: $1,500; 5th Place: $1,250
Challenge Round: (Saturday morning)
Note: All teams that do not advance to the Semi-Final Round will advance to the Challenge Round on Saturday
morning. Teams must compete in the Challenge Round and be present at the Awards Banquet to receive their
cash prizes:
Challenge Round 1 Challenge Round 2 Challenge Round 3 Challenge Round 4 Challenge Round 5 Challenge Round 6 Challenge Round 7 -
1st Place:
1st Place:
1st Place:
1st Place:
1st Place:
1st Place:
1st Place:
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
2nd Place:
2nd Place:
2nd Place:
2nd Place:
2nd Place:
2nd Place:
2nd Place:
$700
$700
$700
$700
$700
$700
$700
3rd Place:
3rd Place:
3rd Place:
3rd Place:
3rd Place:
3rd Place:
3rd Place:
$600
$600
$600
$600
$600
$600
$600
4th Place:
4th Place:
4th Place:
4th Place:
4th Place:
4th Place:
4th Place:
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
$500
N/A
$3,000 Challenge Round – Overall Winner: the top Challenge Round team from among all 7 flights, will win the
James Nicolaou Memorial Prize, in addition to winning the $1,000 first place award in their flight. Therefore, the
overall winner from the Challenge Round will win a total of $4,000.
RBPC – SPECIAL PRIZES:
The special prizes at the Rice Business Plan Competition are awarded among the 42 teams, based on the criteria
described below. All teams, including teams in the Challenge Round, are eligible for these prizes. The winners
will not be determined or announced until the Awards Banquet on Saturday night.
Courageous Women Entrepreneur Prize
$25,000 – Best Business Plan for Women-led Businesses
The nCourage Entrepreneurs Investment Group will award the $25,000 investment prize to a team with:
 A woman as CEO or as a member of leadership team
 The winning team must have at least one woman on the RBPC presenting team in Houston
Sandi Heysinger and Dick Williams
$25,000 Women's Health and Wellness Innovations Prize
Medicine has advanced much in the recent past, yet in some respects Women’s Health is still treated as an
outgrowth of other medical and clinical fields and not as its own specialty. Recent societal developments have
shown that this field has not received the specialized development it deserves. Faster, more accurate, and less
invasive means for diagnosis and treatment are needed. This cash prize will be given to a plan, or plans, that
best further the cause of specialized diagnosis, treatments, or other innovations that let women lead longer,
healthier, and more satisfying lives. Made for women, with a woman in mind.
$20,000 NASA Earth/Space Human Health & Performance Innovation Cash Award
A team will win a $20,000 cash award for the best technology company that has applicability to NASA and the
space program (with some type of application on Earth) in the area of life sciences. Examples include:
 Technology innovations that address:
o Bone loss and osteoporosis
o Cardiovascular alterations and cardiac problems
o Sleep problems, human performance factors and chronobiology (biorhythms)
o Radiation effects
o Muscle changes and muscular atrophy
o Neurobehavioral and psychosocial factors
Continued from prior page:
 Technology innovations that address:
o Nutrition, physical fitness, and rehabilitation
o Neurovestibular adaptation (inner ear and balance)
 Smart medical devices: remote medical care/telemedicine
 Technology development; transportable diagnostic devices, minimally or non-invasive tools,
and low-power/self-powered devices
 Biomedical and environmental health technologies
 Human factors engineering, habitability design, and human-robotics interaction technologies
CASIS
$45,000 – CASIS ISS National Lab Space Flight Prize
CASIS, the Center for the Advancement of Science is Space, is offering a $45,000 grant and an opportunity to fly
an experiment on the International Space Station. CASIS is interested in identifying new, non-traditional space
users capable of providing experimentation to improve life on Earth. Business Plans that focus on Life Science,
Energy, Chemicals, Clean-tech, Info-tech and Materials could be candidates for flight projects given the ISS
National Lab’s unique research and technology development platform.
The project must demonstrate commercial and terrestrial application. The award will be subject to the CASIS
approval process, which consists of an operational, scientific and economic review, and will also be subject to
successful completion of the CASIS compliance and contracts process. To learn more about CASIS and additional
flight opportunities, visit: www.iss-casis.org.
Heinlein Prize Trust Prize
$15,000 – Best Commercial Space Activity Business Plan
The team with the best business plan which presents a technology that could be applicable to commercial space
activity will receive the Heinlein Prize Trust Prize. The Heinlein Prize Trust is a non-profit foundation which
promotes the commercial uses of space. It provides financial prizes to commercial space entrepreneurs,
enhances public awareness of commercial space, and uses space to inspire students about opportunities of the
next frontier. The Trust is a legacy of Robert and Virginia Heinlein; Robert Heinlein is one of the most popular
American science fiction authors and is often called the “dean of science fiction writers.”
Sheafor-Lindsay Social Impact Venture Prize
(People, Planet, and Profit)
$10,000 – Best Triple Bottom Line Business Plan Idea
Social Impact Entrepreneurship will again be featured at the Rice Business Plan Competition with the seventh
year of the $10,000 Sheafor - Lindsay Social Impact Venture Prize to be presented to the university team that
presents the best business plan for a Social Impact enterprise.
The Social Impact Venture Prize is provided to encourage business leaders to develop sustainable enterprises
which contribute to the social good and positively impact society, in addition to generating a financial
profit. This prize recognizes the best new business idea that addresses critical social issues and also generates a
financial return.
Sheafor-Lindsay Social Impact Venture Prize (Continued):
Categories of “social impact value” include, but are not limited to, energy, healthcare, food, water, housing, and
education:
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·
·
·
·
·
·
·
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Making healthcare available for underdeveloped or underserved populations
Enhancing healthcare by reducing costs or improving efficacy for diagnostic or treatment
Enabling affordable, effective education for disadvantaged or underserved populations
Creating equal opportunities for women in health, education, business and/or politics
Producing clean energy or alternative energy (to reduce carbon emissions, greenhouse gases, etc.)
Supplying energy (or light or heat, etc.) to underdeveloped or underserved populations
Improving food production or distribution
Creating clean water systems
Making low-cost housing available
Enabling affordable, effective education for disadvantaged or underdeveloped individuals
FLS Associates Social Impact Mentoring Prize _____
$15,000 – Mentoring to Social Impact Teams
FLS Associates will award this in-kind prize to one of the Social Impact Venture teams at the RBPC. The purpose of
the prize is to further educate and mentor the social impact teams on the unique aspects of social
entrepreneurship as well as the challenges and opportunities it offers.
Shell Technology Ventures
$10,000 – Shell Technology Ventures Energy Prize
The Shell Technology Ventures Energy Prize at the RBPC recognizes the innovative spirit and entrepreneurship of
the next generation of great energy leaders. We hope this prize will build upon the heritage and foundation of
great developments in energy brought about by the RBPC and further promote the need for novel solutions to the
energy challenges of this century. Shell itself has over a century of history in which we have innovated both
technologically and in how we work as a company. We look forward to being inspired and hope to continue to
invest in the future of energy entrepreneurship at the RBPC, for the future benefits we all will share in from the
inventions we see today.
Miller, Egan, Molter & Nelson LLP
$10,000 – Edward H. Molter Memorial Prize for Best Presentation
All 42 RBPC teams are eligible for the Edward H. Molter Memorial Prize for Best Presentation. This $10,000
prize will be awarded to the team that best presents and defends its plan, without regard for if the business is
one in which the judges would choose to invest. Teams with businesses that are very early stage, have small
markets, or are social ventures, for example, can compete successfully with those whose plans have
extraordinary and immediate commercial potential. The purpose of this prize is to award a team for
exceptional work with respect to oral presentation and Q&A.
Comcast Business
$5,000 – People’s Choice Award
New in 2015, we are offering the $5,000 Comcast Business People’s Choice Award. The award is presented to the
team that amasses the highest number of votes on the RBPC People’s Choice Award Facebook page. Teams are
encouraged to invite their friends, family, colleagues, students, alumni, and university staff to vote for their team.
Online voting extends through Saturday, April 18, at 1pm (Houston time).
RBPC Alumni
$2,000 – People’s Choice Runner-up
The RBPC Alumni Prize is offered by a group of past competitors at prior Rice Business Plan Competitions, as a
generous way of “paying it forward” and giving back to the Competition. The $2,000 prize will go to the second
place team in the People’s Choice competition.
Atropos, Inc.
$3,000 – James Nicolaou Memorial Prize
The James Nicolaou Memorial Prize will be awarded to the team that finishes highest in the Challenge Round on
Saturday morning. All 27 teams competing in the Challenge Round are eligible for this award. James Nicolaou
was an avid fan of the Rice Business Plan Competition and judged for many years. He spoke enthusiastically
about the teams, their pitches, and the energy of all the participants. This award recognizes the teams which
prevail over adversity and go on to be successful despite obstacles the many obstacles they face.
Other Special Cash Prize Categories:
Pearland EDC Spirit of Entrepreneurship Prize
$8,000 – Best Plan Demonstrating the Spirit of
Entrepreneurship
Houston Business Journal Leadership Prize
$3,000 – Best example of Entrepreneurial Leadership
Energy Ventures Energy Prize
$3,000 – Best Energy Business Plan
Gimmal Outstanding IT Prize
$3,000 – Best IT Business Plan
Palo Alto Software Outstanding
Business Plan Prize
$3,000 – Best Written Business Plan
McGuireWoods Company Showcase Prize +
$1,000 – Best Company Showcase Table at Awards Banquet
+
Note: All teams are eligible for the McGuireWoods Company Showcase prize which is voted by all attendees at
the Awards Banquet. Teams are encouraged to solicit votes (tickets) from attendees during the Cocktail
Reception at the Banquet on Saturday night. Each attendee will be given two tickets. The team with the most
tickets will be awarded this $1,000 prize during the dinner.
Mercury Fund
First Place:
Second Place:
Third Place:
Fourth Place:
Fifth Place:
Elevator Pitch Competition
$1,000
$750
$750
$500
$500
Note: All 42 teams are eligible for, and compete for, all of the Elevator Pitch cash prizes. Teams will present
their elevator pitch at the Opening Event on Thursday, April 16, 2015.
Santé Ventures
First Place:
Best Life Science Elevator Pitch
$1,000
BBVA Compass, Robert Cuyler, Ph.D., and other Judges
$1,000 Teen Judges Prize
Junior and senior high school students will evaluate the six (6) finalist teams at the Rice Business Plan
Competition on Saturday afternoon and vote for their favorite team. Their winner will receive $1,000. The
Teen Judging is supported by about 20 judges and sponsors including: BBVA Compass (Mark Montgomery),
Teakwood Capital (Ed Olkkola), RedHouse Associates (Doug Erwin), and Klein Equities (David Klein). The Teen
Judging panel was founded by Dr. Robert Cuyler.
Intent to Compete Prize:
Palo Alto Software, LivePlan - Intent to Compete Software Prizes
All teams that completed an Intent to Compete for the Rice Business Plan Competition were eligible to receive a
free six-month subscription to Palo Alto’s new SaaS application, LivePlan. LivePlan, by Palo Alto Software, is
the world leader in online business planning, pitch creation, and financial management software with over 60,000
users worldwide.
In-kind Prizes
Insperity
Workforce Optimization® Awards
The top six finalists will receive a discount of 75% off the Insperity Workforce Optimization® enrollment fee.
Workforce Optimization is a Comprehensive HR Service that gives companies the freedom to focus on growth
and opportunity. As an Insperity® Workforce Optimization® client, your company receives the benefit of
becoming part of a professional employment organization (PEO). Through this arrangement, Insperity absorbs
many of the daily employee-related administration and employer liability while the company maintains
complete control over the workforce, business decisions and operations.
Houston Angel Network
Presentation Award
The grand prize winner will be guaranteed an opportunity to present their business plan at a HAN breakfast
within 12 months of winning the Competition. The offer expires on May 1, 2015. HAN will waive the $250
application fee and waive the $500 presentation fee for this company.
The Padgett Group and BrandExtract
Marketing/Branding/PR In-kind Awards
The 2015 RBPC Grand Prize Winner will receive branding design and marketing communications services from
The Padgett Group and BrandExtract. Offer good for one year from date of competition.
 Services provided by BrandExtract include:
o Brand design & positioning strategy
o Creative services
 Marketing Communications Services from The Padgett Group
o Evaluation and recommendations for a marketing plan
o Review and edit content for collateral materials
o Perform web site audit and provide recommendations
o Write and distribute one or two press releases
ContentActive
Website and Services In-kind Award
The 2015 RBPC Grand Prize winner will receive up to 1 year of website development and related services from
ContentActive with a value of $30,000. Website services may include: Responsive Design, News and Press
releases, Calendar, Shopping cart, Integration and project management, and Hosting for one year, or a Mobile
App. Offer good for one year from date of competition.
Blue Lance
Blue Lance Cyber Oversight and Continuous Auditing Solutions Prize
Entrepreneurs seeking capital send their business plans to venture capitalists and business plan competition
organizers. These plans contain detailed descriptions of people, processes, technology, and money required to
execute their big ideas. As such, there is an expectation on the part of the entrepreneurs that their plans will be
duly protected and not fall into the wrong hands.
An industry leader, Blue Lance has a rich history of bringing innovative cybersecurity, audit and compliance
solutions to help companies with the safekeeping of digitally managed assets by continuously assessing,
remediating, and monitoring the security of their information systems.
All RBPC competitors, judges and sponsors participating at the 2015 Rice Business Plan competition may claim a
free copy of the LT Auditor+ 2013 Windows Permissions Assessment Module ($1,995 value) to help identify
security vulnerabilities.
To claim your prize of a free copy of the LT Auditor+ 2013 Assessment Module, visit email REDEEM@bluelance.com
or call 1-800-856-BLUE (2583).
Enterprise Futures Network and Buckeye Mentoring
Mentoring for 42 RBPC Final Teams
Enterprise Futures Network (EFN) mentors have offered pre-competition mentoring and advice to each of the 42
teams who have been invited to participate at the 2015 RBPC. They have provided advice in areas such as refining
a business plan, refining financial models, and improving presentation skills.
Enterprise Futures Network Post-Competition Mentoring
Each of the top 15 Semi-Finalist teams will be offered the opportunity to receive mentoring after the competition
as part of EFN’s iCatalysts program.
Silver Fox Advisors – Mentoring Prize:
Three teams will receive business mentoring and consulting from Silver Fox Advisors. This coaching will include
three 3-hour sessions with each of the three teams, involving 1-2 Silver Fox Advisors at each session. The Silver Fox
Advisors will select the 3 teams to receive these mentoring services.
Microsoft BizSpark
Software Development Tools
Teams meeting the Microsoft BizSpark criteria will receive free access to Microsoft software and development
tools and free AZURE cloud services for up to three years.
Southwest Airlines
Travel Vouchers
Southwest Airlines will provide the winning team with $150 travel vouchers for each presenting team member
who attends and competes in the Rice Business Plan Competition.
* Notes Related to all Prizes:
 These prizes are subject to change at the sponsor or competition organizers discretion at any time.
 Several of the prizes involve convertible debt notes or equity investment. These prizes are provided
directly from the sponsor to the winning company and may be dependent on the sponsor and company
agreeing to the terms associated with this prize. These investment prizes typical require the winning
company to provide standard company information to the investor in advance such as incorporation
documents, capitalization tables, copies of fully executed technology license agreements (if applicable),
founders agreements, etc.
 Some prizes may contain certain restrictions, conditions, or eligibility criteria.