TLDR:
- The Rice Business Plan Competition participants for 2024 have been announced, with 42 student-led teams competing for over $1 million in prizes.
- A new Houston venture studio, Flathead Forge, is focusing on early-stage hardtech startups within the energy transition.
Natalie Harms reports on the latest Houston innovation news. The Rice Business Plan Competition for 2024 has announced the 42 student-led teams participating this year, representing universities from around the world and competing for over $1 million in prizes. The competition is scheduled for April 4 to 6 in Houston and is known as one of the largest intercollegiate student startup competitions.
Another key highlight is the emergence of a new Houston venture studio, Flathead Forge, which aims to target early-stage hardtech startups in the energy transition sector. Doug Lee, the founder of Flathead Forge, believes that these startups are critical for driving forward net-zero goals and bridging the gap between legacy industries and sustainable technologies.
Additional Highlights:
A Texas organization has allocated $68.5 million to Houston institutions for recruitment and research in the field of cancer prevention. This funding will help institutions like the University of Texas MD Anderson Center attract top researchers in the field of precision medicine and cancer treatments.
Fathom Fund, a new venture capital fund with an initial $100 million, is focused on supporting founders with innovative solutions in critical infrastructure areas like advanced computing, material science, climate resilience, and aerospace. The fund, founded by Managing Partners Paul Sheng and Eric Bielke, aims to capitalize on recent technological advances accelerating scientific discovery.
Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based space company, successfully landed a lunar lander on the moon in a historic mission. Despite a weak signal initially, the company confirmed the successful landing, marking the first U.S. moon touchdown in over 50 years. This significant achievement highlights the progress in private space exploration and technology development.
