Rice Alliance Hosts 9th Annual I.T. & Web Venture Forum

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Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship showcases most promising I.T. & Web Technology companies on December 8th, 2011

HOUSTON- (November 21, 2011) - The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship will host its 9th Annual I.T. & Web Venture Forum on Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011. This is one of the largest I.T. & Web conformances in the Southwest. More than 60 of the most promising early-stage I.T. & Web technology companies from all across the U.S. will showcase their new ventures for an audience of more than 450 attendees, including investors, venture capitalists, industry representatives, business leaders, advisors/mentors, service providers, and entrepreneurs. 
 
Featured keynotes Mike Maples, Jr., Managing Partner of FLOODGATE and Dana Settle, Founding Partner of Greycroft Partners LLC, will share their years of industry knowledge and investor experience to the attendees on hand. 
 
This year's Venture Form will feature an opportunity for select companies to have one-on-one sessions with venture capitalists in the "Venture Capital Office Hours" on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011 from 2 - 5 p.m. These sessions will allow companies to more fully delve into their technology and business plan to generate investor interest and gain advice.
 
The one-day event will culminate with the announcement of the

"Top 10 Rising Ventures,"

which will be chosen from more than 60 competitors. The Rice Alliance Advisory Board will make their selections based on the companies' elevator pitch presentations. The exercise simulates meeting and investor on an elevator and having only 90 seconds to convince them to invest in your company.
 
In addition, five other pre-selected

"Most Promising I.T. & Web Technology Companies"

will present their 10-minute business plan presentation at the forum.
 
Rice Alliance Managing Director Brad Burke, will announce the winners of the Top 10 Rising Ventures at the event. "It is rewarding to be able to give upstart companies the opportunity to realize their potential by receiving real world experience as well as the possibility of establishing long term partnerships with influential venture capitalists." 
 
The forum is supported by Austin Ventures, Sevin Rosen Funds, Houston Technology Center and Greater Houston Partnership with media sponsorsHouston Business Journaland theBusinessMakers Radio Show.

About the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship:

The Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship (Rice Alliance) is Rice University’s nationally-recognized initiative devoted to the support of technology commercialization, entrepreneurship education, and the launch of technology companies.
 
Since inception, the Rice Alliance has assisted in the launch of more than 305 start-ups which have raised more than $1 billion dollars in early-stage capital. More than 1,300 early-stage companies have presented at the 130+ programs hosted by the Rice Alliance.

The Rice University Business Plan Competition is the World’s Richest and Largest, awarding more than $1.3 million in prizes; 133 past competitors are in business today having raised in excess of $397 million.

Recent recognition:
  - 2011 NASDAQ OMX Center of Entrepreneurial Excellence Award - GCEC
  - 2011, 2010, 2009 Top Ten Best U.S. Graduate Entrepreneurship Program – Princeton Review and
             Entrepreneur magazine
  - 2011 #14 Best U.S. Graduate Entrepreneurship Program – US News & World Report
  - 2011 National Model MBA Entrepreneurship Program – USASBE

News Source : Rice Alliance Hosts 9th Annual I.T. & Web Venture Forum