Rice Business Plan Competition 2026 winners announced
April 13, 2026
Another team from the Great Lakes State took home top honors and investments at this year’s Rice Business Plan Competition.
BRCĒ, a material-tech startup from Michigan State University, took home the top-place finish and the largest investment total at the annual Houston event. It has developed Lattice-Grip technology to create utility-based polymers that can replace traditional fabric. The materials are stronger, fire-resistant and more stable than traditional textiles, according to the company. Last year, the University of Michigan’s Intero Biosystems won first-place finish and the largest investment total of $902,000.
In total, the RBPC doled out $1.4 million in prizes and startups brought home an additional $1.3 million in investments and non-dilutive cash this year, according to Rice. Over the three-day event, held April 9-11, the 42 competing startups presented their business plans to 300 angel, venture capital and corporate investors. Seven finalists were selected and each competing startup received at least $950 in prizes for placement in the competition.
Three Texas teams, including one from Houston, were named among the finalists. Here’s who won big this year.
BRCĒ, Michigan State University — $571,500
The recent Shark Tank alum finished in first place for its utility-based polymers technology.
- $200,000 Goose Capital Investment Grand Prize
- $100,000 The OWL Investment Prize
- $100,000 Houston Angel Network Investment Prize
- $75,000 The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Texas Angels Investment Prize
- $50,000 nCourage Investment Network’s Courageous Women Entrepreneur Investment Prize
- $25,000 New Climate Ventures Sustainable Investment Prize
- $20,000 Aramco Innovator Cash Prize
- $1,000 Anbarci Family Company Showcase Prize
- $500 Mercury Fund Elevator Pitch Competition Prize – Consumer Hard Tech
Legion Platforms, Arizona State University — $425,500
The startup won second place for its multiplayer gaming platform that can be accessed with slow internet speeds.
- $100,000 Anderson Family Fund & Finger Interests Second Place Investment Prize
- $200,000 Goose Capital Investment Prize
- $100,000 The OWL Investment Prize
- $25,000 Pearland EDC Spirit of Entrepreneurship Cash Prize
- $500 Mercury Fund Elevator Pitch Competition Prize – Consumer
Imagine Devices, University of Texas at Austin — $101,000
The pediatric medical device company won third place for its multifunction neonatal feeding tube, known as Trinity Tube
- $50,000 Anderson Family Fund & Finger Interests Third Place Investment Prize
- $25,000 Pearland EDC Spirit of Entrepreneurship Cash Prize
- $25,000 The Eagle Investors Investment Prize
- $1,000 Anbarci Family Company Showcase Prize
Altaris MedTech, University of Arkansas – $6,000
The startup won fourth place for its pain-free strep test.
- $5,000 Norton Rose Fulbright Fourth Place Prize
- $1,000 Mercury Fund Elevator Pitch Competition Prize — Overall Winner
Routora, University of Notre Dame & University of Texas at Austin – $5,500
The team won fifth place for its route optimization app that works to reduce fuel costs, travel time and carbon emissions
- $5,000 Chevron Fifth Place Prize
- $500 Mercury Fund Elevator Pitch Competition Prizes — Digital
DialySafe, Rice University — $5,500
The startup won sixth place for its technology that aims to make at-home peritoneal dialysis simpler and safer.
- $5,000 ExxonMobil Sixth Place Prize
- $500 Mercury Fund Elevator Pitch Competition Prizes — Life Science
Arrow Analytics, Texas A&M University – $6,000
The startup won seventh place for its AI-powered sizing system for carry-on baggage.
- $5,000 Shell Ventures Seventh Place Prize
- $1,000 Anbarci Family Company Showcase Prizes
Other significant prizes included:
BiliRoo, University of Michigan – $26,000
- $25,000 Southwest National Pediatric Device Consortium Pediatric Device Cash Prize
- $1,000 Anbarci Family Company Showcase Prizes
BeamFeed, City University of New York – $25,000
- $25,000 Amentum and WRX Companies Rising Stars Space Technology and Commercial Aerospace Cash Prize
Grapheon, University of Pittsburgh — $20,000
- $20,000 Aramco Innovator Cash Prize
Last year, the Rice Business Plan Competition facilitated over $2 million in investment and cash prizes. According to Rice, more than 910 startups have raised more than $6.9 billion in capital through the competition over the last 25 years.
See a full list of this year’s winners and stream rounds from the competition here.
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