HOUSTON – (February 14, 2023) – Today, the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Lilie), at Rice University announced the launch of their startup accelerator program for Rice University students: Summer Venture Studio
This summer, student teams will have the opportunity to work full-time with Lilie on their ventures in a dedicated co-working space along with 1:1 mentorship, tactical workshops, and up to $15,000 in equity-free funding per team.
“The Summer Venture Studio will empower student teams to accelerate their ventures and hit escape velocity” said Kyle Judah, Executive Director of Lilie. “We believe that with the right personalized program and resources, and led by our team of experienced founders, we can unlock students’ limitless potential to create the next generation of pillar companies for Houston, Texas, and the world.”
The accelerator will run from May to August 2023. It will be open to student founders from all majors, degree programs, years of graduation, and students graduating in May before the program begins. Solo founders are welcome, as well as companies building all kinds of products across every industry, from new food and CPG brands to financial technologies and B2B software or consumer apps.
“Summer Venture Studio offers Rice students the opportunity to work on their venture ideas with individualized programming customized to their experience, background, and venture stage,” said Yael Hochberg, Ralph S. O’Connor Professor in Entrepreneurship and Head of the Rice Entrepreneurship Initiative. “The program is designed to blend seamlessly into students’ curricular and co-curricular experience throughout the academic year, ensuring that each student is met where they are in experience and entrepreneurial knowledge.”
Students accepted into the accelerator will have the opportunity to work with alumni, mentors, VCs, and other experts that will support their personal and venture growth, gaining first-hand working experience in the startup world.
Applications are now open at https://accelerator.rice.edu/
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The Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Rice University is the home of Rice’s entrepreneurship education program, offering curricular and co-curricular offerings to students, faculty and staff. Rice University is recognized as a hub for innovation in entrepreneurship education, and has been ranked as the No. 1 graduate entrepreneurship program in the U.S. for 4 years in a row. 
For more information on the Summer Venture Studio, visit https://accelerator.rice.edu
For more information on the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and its offerings, visit https://entrepreneurship.rice.edu.

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