The Rice Business Plan Competition gives collegiate entrepreneurs real-world experience to pitch their startups, enhance their business strategy and learn what it takes to launch a successful company. 2026 marks our 26th year of the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC), presented by Rice Business. Rice Business, in its 51st year, is the home to the No. 1 Graduate Entrepreneurship Program and shares our mission to empower the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders. Hosted by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, the RBPC has grown to become the world’s largest and richest student start-up competition, with 42 teams competing for more than $1 million in cash, investments and prizes.

Amentum – Rising Stars Space Technology and Commercial Aerospace Prize - $25,000 cash

$25,000 cash prize, with additional in-kind services (up to $25,000 in value)

Amentum will award a $25,000 cash prize to companies with the most potential to offer beneficial work related to the JETS II contract. This work may include applications that advance NASA’s missions, projects that align with JSC focus areas, systems that are based on NASA-licensed intellectual property, or products/services that support a low Earth orbit or lunar-based economy. The prize also includes up to $25,000 of in-kind services with access to Amentum’s subject matter experts in helping advance Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), access to Amentum’s lab facilities, and venture development advisory support through Amentum JETS II teammate Intuitive Machines and partner WRX. 

At Amentum under the Johnson Space Center (JSC) Engineering, Technology & Science (JETS) II contract, we are taking giant steps to support NASA’s mission to lead human space exploration. Amentum provides engineering and science services and solutions for JSC in support of major programs such as the Artemis Moon missions, the International Space Station, the Orion Crew Module, astromaterials and deep space research, along with project collaboration with numerous NASA centers and commercial aerospace companies. In partnership with NASA, we have created, designed, developed, and tested systems that enable human spaceflight to achieve breakthroughs in our understanding of Earth, the universe, and ourselves.

Eligibility: The prize will be awarded to the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC) team(s) that meet the criteria defined above as determined by the “Rising Stars Space Technology and Commercial Aerospace Award” judges at the RBPC regardless of where the team finishes at the competition. If no teams meet the criteria, the prize will not be awarded. For more information