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KENT, Ohio – A group of eight students from the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship recently attended the Rice Business Plan Competition and explored Austin’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The 2023 Rice Business Plan Competition was hosted by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship. The event provides a platform for collegiate entrepreneurs to showcase their startups, refine their business strategies, and gain insights into launching successful companies. 

Witnessing the innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit of the participating startups left the students inspired and motivated to pursue their own entrepreneurial endeavors.

“Participating in this trip was an invaluable experience,” said junior finance major Brad Smith, one of the students who attended. “It was truly inspiring to witness the cutting-edge technology and innovative ideas being developed by brilliant young entrepreneurs from around the world while simultaneously building relationships and creating lasting memories with fellow students and faculty members along the way.”

“Going on the trip was a great opportunity to see the world beyond the classroom and learn from fellow students and startups,” said graduate business student Nonye Ijeoma, another attendee. “It was an opportunity to network and meet with people from colleges inside and outside the United States.”

While in Texas, students also visited Interplay Learning, a leader in Virtual Reality (VR) training and education for the skilled trades, and The Kendra Scott Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute at The University of Texas at Austin.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to attend the business plan pitch competition at Rice University,” said Master of Science in Business Analytics graduate student Nisha Chaurasia. “It was a life-changing experience that inspired me to achieve new goals. The vibrant atmosphere, brilliant minds and competitive spirit fueled my passion for entrepreneurship like never before. The trip to Houston and Austin was a transformative adventure that stretched the boundaries of my creativity and resilience. Thanks to the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship for providing this opportunity.”

����ɫ��ҹ ����ɫ��ҹ University’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship

����ɫ��ҹ University’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship is among the fewer than 1% of business schools worldwide to obtain dual accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in both business and accounting. The college offers 11 undergraduate majors, 14 minors, and an undergraduate Professional Sales Certificate; MBA; master’s degrees in accounting, business analytics and economics; four graduate certificates and a Ph.D. program. For more information about ����ɫ��ҹ’s Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship, visit www.kent.edu/crawford.