Judging the competition will be angel investors, investment bankers, venture capitalists and entrepreneurs from Houston and around the country. The forum was co-sponsored by Rice University Executive Education and Texas eComm. In the city's robust environment of business and economic development, the Alliance takes on an important network-building role. Research has shown that universities have played a pivotal role in the development of geographical concentrations of technology-related businesses, Currall said. We are taking a leadership role in facilitating commercialization of new innovations based on science and engineering discoveries or new ideas in software or e-commerce.
New companies comprise the major component of growth in any industry.
Introduction of new technologies and new ideas make the economy more vibrant. Forging ahead, the Alliance is expanding its network beyond the Rice community and further enhancing the services offered to Alliance members and participants, Currall said. Recently, more than 120 members of Houston's business and scientific communities attended the innovation concept forum jointly hosted by the Rice Alliance and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Because of the success of the joint forum, future partnerships between Rice and M.D. Anderson are being discussed. Rice represents a resource to many at M.D. Anderson.