OwlSpark, Rice University’s startup and small business accelerator for Rice-affiliated ventures, brings together 11 companies in the program’s 13th year who represent a new wave of entrepreneurs tackling challenges across technology, consumer products, health care and more. Since 2013, the accelerator has supported 229 founders and launched 104 ventures with participants collectively raising more than $116 million in funding.
Hosted in partnership with the University of Houston’s RED Labs and taking place at the Ion, Houston’s innovation hub powered by Rice, the 12-week program provides a dynamic and immersive experience for early-stage ventures across a wide range of industries. Each summer, the accelerator cultivates a vibrant environment where founders are empowered to build, test and scale their ideas in a setting built for entrepreneurship. This long-standing collaboration continues to strengthen Houston’s entrepreneurial landscape.
OwlSpark Class 13
- EasilyBEE is a web and mobile platform that boosts family and community engagement in K-12 schools.
- Diagnos is a wearable-integrated wellness platform to monitor health and prevent injuries in collegiate athletes.
- Johnnie offers a lightweight, AI-powered records management software for rural and midsize first responder agencies.
- JustKindHumility offers customized, faith-based travel journals.
- Klix automates early-stage clinical trial management from document screening to AI-driven patient outreach and eligibility checks.
- Lizzy’s Gourmet Gains high-protein, flavor-forward dips and dressings with health benefits.
- NextStep is an AI-powered multilingual assistant helping underserved communities navigate health care resources.
- PeriShield is a catheter-integrated sensor device that detects early infection in peritoneal dialysis patients.
- Right Design is a platform connecting creatives with vetted employers, mentors and projects via job matching and commissions
- UCoreAlly provides fractional business support for biotech startups in marketing, business development, customer support, human resources and accounting.
- VentriTech is an ultrasound-based ablation system to treat ventricular arrhythmias.
Student, faculty, staff and alumni ventures in the program benefit from connections with mentors, industry leaders and an immersion into the local ecosystem, coupled with rigorous training and hands-on guidance. OwlSpark takes a cohort-based approach to accelerators by leveraging the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship’s extensive network of industry experts, investors and leaders. Each summer is customized for the cohort’s needs — the program is flexible and can bring in speakers and content that matches the businesses and stages of the entrepreneurs in our programs.
The experience culminates in the Bayou Startup Showcase in August, a high-energy demo day that invites the Houston community to discover the region’s most promising new ventures.
For more information about the OwlSpark and RED Labs accelerators, visit alliance.rice.edu/owlspark and https://www.bauer.uh.edu/centers/wce/programs/accelerator.php.
