’’Rice Business Plan Competition Day’’ Set to Pit 36 Top MBA Schools Against Each Other

HOUSTON - Houston Mayor Bill White has declared Saturday, March 24, 2007 as Rice Business Plan Competition Day in the city of Houston, TX.

The Rice Alliance’s Business Plan Competition is being recognized for its outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of education and entrepreneurship, such as providing real world business opportunities for numerous local, national and international students to learn what it takes to launch a successful business as well as facilitating financial opportunities to grow a successful business through VC’s, CEOs, other entrepreneurs and investors
Being a leader in the nurturing of entrepreneurial ideas that give birth to new business and business leaders.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Mayor White and the city of Houston,” said Brad Burke, Managing Director of the Rice Alliance. “The success and growth of the competition is one more sign that Houston is fast becoming a leading hub for technology and entrepreneurship and we are pleased to play a role in that growth.”

This is the seventh year of the business plan competition, which has grown tremendously since its inception. It has become the largest and richest intercollegiate business plan competition in the world, with prize money totaling more than $345,000.

The competition allows 36 of the world’s top MBA/graduate schools to compete in front of a judging panel of over 150 venture capitalists, investors, and business executives. Through the mentoring and networking, numerous past competitors at the Rice Business Plan Competition have gone on to successfully launch their companies, acquire funding, and build their businesses.