1. The Rice University StartUp Accelerator
Vivas Kumar
OwlSpark Accelerator Co-Founder
Rice University BSEE ‘14
#OwlSpark

2. Table of Contents
Page 2
Value Proposition
Page 3
Unique Advantage
Page 4
Participant Companies and Co-Founders
Page 5
Program Success Metrics
Page 6
Company Sourcing
Page 7
Program Financials
Page 8
Board of Directors
Page 9
2013 Sponsors and Donors
Page 11
Rice Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
Page 12
Comparable Programs
Page 13
Donation Tier Privileges
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Page 1

3. OwlSpark creates value for participant companies by providing them with
resources and connections to further their entrepreneurial development
Seed Grants– $1000/cofounder/month stipend to help participants cover basic
living costs; additional funding awarded to companies based on donor
preferences (ex. Laura and John Arnold foundation social enterprise grants)
Space – Co-located collaborative office space for company offices, lectures,
mentor office hours, meetings, and general networking events
Community – Participating companies benefit from strong ties to mentors,
service providers, experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and angel
investors from the Rice and Houston communities
Active Start-up Community – Participating companies work alongside other
companies undergoing similar processes of customer development and
hypothesis validation, leading to idea and talent cross-pollination
Rice University affiliation – Strong alumni network and Rice name brand lend
credibility, further helping companies approach new customers and potential
investors
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Page 2

4. OwlSpark is uniquely positioned to take advantage of existing entrepreneurial
synergies and organizations in the Houston community.
Valued partnerships with Houston organizations
• NASA, Texas Medical Center, and booming energy industry create
unparalleled nexus of entrepreneurial opportunities and talent
• Houston-area professionals and active Rice alumni community
provide strong support through company mentorship
Nationally recognized entrepreneurial events
and competitions
• Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship hosts
notable venture forums and Rice Business Plan
Competition attracting companies from around the world
• Strong partnership with Surge Accelerator program
(TechStars affiliated energy software accelerator)
World-class researchers developing
innovative technology
• Premier undergraduate research institution with
significant per-capita research funding
• Strong potential for translatability of laboratory findings
into entrepreneurial ventures
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Page 3

5. OwlSpark 2013 featured 9 companies from 6 different industries, involving 37
full-time co-founders from varied Rice-affiliated backgrounds.
Participating Companies
Participating Co-Founders
Representative Industries
15
Education
Finance
Healthcare
11
Social Media
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Software
31
Participant
Demographics
27
IT
7
18
5 2 21
out of 11 residential colleges represented
Page 4

6. 2013 OwlSpark companies benefitted from significant community involvement
and a strong culture of mentorship and risk-taking
Funds Raised
OwlSpark
Operations
$313K
By 2013
participating
companies
$50K
By companies
prior to
program
$1.08M
Community
Engagement
OwlSpark
Mentors
>120
Pitch Day
Attendees
>340
Community
Members
Engaged
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
>1000
Page 5

7. OwlSpark 2014 applicant companies will be vetted by external judges and experts
through competitions, donors, or a rigorous interview process
Spring 2014: Companies are sourced from competitions and open application process
Sourcing Channels
Up to 3 from RUVC1
 Open to companies
of currently
enrolled
undergraduate
students
 Top 3 winning
companies receive
cash prizes and
offer to join
OwlSpark
 Offer package
consists of
$3K/founder for
summer stipends
and additional seed
grant3
Remaining companies
Up to 3 from OwlOpen
2 social enterprises
 Open to companies
of at least one
currently enrolled
graduate student
 Top 3 winning
companies receive
cash prizes and
offer to join
OwlSpark
 Offer package
consists of
$3K/founder for
summer stipends
and additional seed
grant3
 Companies apply
through open
application process
 Companies must
meet LJAF2
eligibility rules
 OwlSpark
leadership
nominates up to
four companies for
LJAF consideration
 Companies are
interviewed and
two are selected by
LJAF Board
1 Rice
Undergraduate Venture Challenge
and John Arnold Foundation
3Projected at around $2000 for 2014
2 Laura
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
 Open application
process
 OwlSpark
leadership
screens, and vets
companies based
on applications
 Companies are
interviewed early
February and
offers are
extended after
Board approval
Eligibility criteria for
companies selected
through Open
Applications
• Teams are composed of
at least 2 individuals, at
least one of whom:
• Is a currently enrolled
Rice University student
(grad or
undergraduate); or
• Is a current Rice
University faculty or
staff member; or
• Is a Rice University
alum from any of the
previous 5 graduating
classes (Class of 2008)
All company members
from each company are
expected to participate in
12-week OwlSpark
summer program
Page 6

8. OwlSpark 2014 is projected to require about $475K in funding to cover major staffing,
space, and participant companies’ stipend needs
Summer 2014 projected budget breakdown
Staffing - $269,000
MD1 salary
Fringe Costs
Interns
Total
•
$200,000
$59,000
$10,000
$269,000
1Full-Time Managing
Director to be hired
Stipend - $120,000
• Each company will receive
$1000/mo./cofounder to
cover living expenses
• Expected four
cofounders/company based
on 2013 OwlSpark average
participant company size
• 2 student summer interns
Summer 2014 projected funding sources
Committed or identified
$100K
$88K
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
• Marketing to attract
mentors, students,
companies, and donors to
participate
• Various supplies for
OwlSpark networking
events, lectures, mentor
sessions, and stationary
Space & Discretionary $21,000
• Currently negotiating
contract to host Summer
2014 program at Willy’s
Pub and adjoining RMC
facilities
• Back-stop for unforeseen
costs and new activities
Funding Sources Breakdown
Yet to be raised or identified
$125K
Supplies, Marketing, and
Events - $65,000
$162K
• Rice University $100K commitment to fund stipends
from RUVC and Owl Open Winners
• Follow-up report from 2013 OwlSpark sent to LJAF
Board for further funding granting
• Potential $100K grant from BlackStone foundation
currently being negotiated
• OwlSpark leadership team working together with
Rice University Development staff and Office of
Corporate and Foundational Relations
Page 7

9. OwlSpark is overseen by a 7-member Board of Directors, with the day-to-day
operations overseen by a full-time Managing Director and student leaders
Brad Burke
Rice Alliance
Veronica Saron
OwlSpark Co-founder
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
KazKarwowski
Rice Center for Engineering
Leadership
Tom Kraft, PhD
Rice Alliance
Ray Simar
Rice Center for Engineering
Leadership
Vivas Kumar
OwlSpark Co-founder
Kerri Smith
Interim MD, OwlSpark
Page 8

10. 2013 OwlSpark Sponsors
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Page 9

11. Appendix
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Page 10

12. OwlSpark fits clearly into Rice’s entrepreneurial ecosystem with in-built mechanisms for
regular updates to Rice leadership
Board of Trustees
President/Provost
Dean of Engineering
Dean of Business
Board of Directors
Brad Burke
KazKarwowski
Veronica Saron
Tom Kraft
Ray Simar
Vivas Kumar
Kerri Smith
Managing Director
Companies
Mentors
Internal Relations
External
Relations
 Oversees
company
recruitment
into OwlSpark
summer
program
 Facilitate
mentor
development
 Communicate
with mentors
 Track mentor
engagement
 Communicate
with Rice
stakeholders
 Arrange board
meetings
agendas and
minutes
 Greater
Houston and
national PR
 Manages
external Rice
relationships
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Operations
 Oversees
innovation
community
dynamics
 Manages
logistics and
space design
Page 11

13. OwlSpark borrows elements from several other comparable successful tier one
university accelerators, many of whom were consulted for programmatic advice
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Page 12

14. Summer 2014: OwlSparkoffers multiple support levels for donor participation
Diamond Tier ($250,000 – Limit: One)
Provides funding for a full OwlSpark member company’s summer acceleration program, general OwlSpark activities,
and allows full funding of a single OwlSpark event
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Named sponsorship rights for one year
Explicit verbal acknowledgment of named sponsorship at all OwlSpark events over the course of the year
Quarterly acknowledgement through all social media accounts
Name exclusively on sleeves of OwlSpark Pitch Day shirts
Invitation to speak at OwlSpark Pitch Day (usually, mid-August)
Sponsorship rights (with any Platinum Tier sponsor) at all OwlSpark events during the year
Seat on the Board of Advisors
Plaque of appreciation for supporting entrepreneurship at Rice, held at OwlSpark throughout the year until
provided to the donor during Pitch Day. A copy will be displayed at OwlSpark offices permanently.
Invitation to bi-weekly update meetings with a sponsored team
Four VIP invitations to all OwlSpark events, including OwlSpark Pitch Day and Banquet
Personalized commemorative booklet including sponsor recognition, company and team bios.
Recognition on the OwlSpark website and at OwlSpark events
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Page 13

15. Summer 2014: OwlSparkoffers multiple support levels for donor participation (cont.)
Platinum Tier ($100,000 – Limit: Three)
Provides funding for a full OwlSpark member company’s summer acceleration program, general OwlSpark activities,
and allows full funding of a single OwlSpark event
• Co-named sponsorship rights (with Diamond Tier sponsor) of one OwlSpark event of donor’s choosing, including
explicit verbal acknowledgment of sponsorship (along with any Diamond Tier sponsor)
• Seat on the board of advisors
• Plaque of appreciation for supporting entrepreneurship at Rice, held at OwlSpark throughout the year until
provided to the donor during Pitch Day. A copy will be displayed at OwlSpark offices permanently.
• Invitation to monthly update meetings with a sponsored teams
• Two VIP invitations to all OwlSpark events, including OwlSpark Pitch Day and Banquet
• Personalized commemorative booklet including sponsor recognition, company and team bios.
• Recognition on the OwlSpark website and at OwlSpark events
•
Gold Tier ($50,000)
Provides funding for a full OwlSpark member company’s summer acceleration program, OwlSpark events and general
OwlSpark activities
• Plaque of appreciation for supporting entrepreneurship at Rice, held at OwlSpark throughout the year until
provided to the donor during Pitch Day
• Invitation to monthly update meetings with a sponsored teams
• Two VIP invitations to all OwlSpark events, including OwlSpark Pitch Day and Banquet
• Personalized commemorative booklet including sponsor recognition, company and team bios.
• Recognition on the OwlSpark website and on signage at OwlSpark events
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Page 14

16. Summer 2014: OwlSparkoffers multiple support levels for donor participation (cont.)
Silver Tier ($25,000)
Provides funding for half of an OwlSpark member company’s summer acceleration program, OwlSpark events and
general OwlSpark activities
•
•
•
•
Two VIP invitations to OwlSpark Pitch Day and two invitations to the OwlSpark Banquet
Personalized commemorative booklet including sponsor recognition, company and team bios.
Certificate of appreciation for supporting entrepreneurship at Rice, co-signed by a sponsored team
Recognition on the OwlSpark website and on signage at OwlSpark events
Bronze Tier ($10,000)
Provides funding for an entire OwlSpark member company’s founders’ summer stipends and general OwlSpark
activities
•
•
•
•
Two VIP invitations to OwlSpark Pitch Day
Personalized commemorative booklet including sponsor recognition, company and team bios.
Certificate of appreciation for supporting entrepreneurship at Rice, co-signed by a sponsored team
Recognition on the OwlSpark website
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Page 15

17. Summer 2014: OwlSparkoffers multiple support levels for donor participation (cont.)
Blue Tier ($5,000)
Provides funding for one OwlSpark member company founder summer stipend and general OwlSpark activities
• Personalized commemorative booklet including sponsor recognition, company and team bios.
• Certificate of appreciation for supporting entrepreneurship at Rice, co-signed by a sponsored founder of a member
company
• Recognition on the OwlSpark website
Gray Tier ($3,000)
Provides funding for one OwlSpark member company founder summer stipend
• Certificate of appreciation for supporting entrepreneurship at Rice and signed by a sponsored founder of a member
company
• Recognition on the OwlSpark website
White Tier ($1,000)
Provides funding for general OwlSpark activities
• Certificate of appreciation for supporting entrepreneurship at Rice
• Recognition on the OwlSpark website
OwlSpark: The Rice University Startup Accelerator
Page 16