OwlSpark

• This page is referenced in Rice Entrepreneurship

About

Founded in 2013, OwlSpark is a program that allows Rice students, faculty, staff, and recent alumni to launch their own companies.

The program is as follows:

• a 12-week summer program for up to 10 startup teams, including:

1. curriculum
2. collaborative working space
3. monthly living stipend
4. industry mentorship

• Following the summer program, startup teams participate in the Bayou Startup Showcase to showcase their businesses

OwlSpark also works in collaboration Houston’s startup community to promote entreneurship and innovation at the city and state levels.

Team

Board of Directors

• Brad Burke, Managing Director, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship
• Kaz Karwowski, Executive Director, Rice Center for Engineering Leadership
• Tom Kraft, Director of Technology Ventures Development, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship
• Ray Simar, Professor in the Program, Rice Center for Engineering Leadership
• Kerri Smith, Director of Programs, Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship and Acting Managing Director, OwlSpark

For more detailed information, see OwlSpark's of Directors website

Leadership

• Kerri Smith, Managing Director
• Noy Shemer, Assistant Managing Director, Operations
• Jessica Fleenor, Assistant Managing Director, Marketing and Communications
• Ben Baldazo
• Andy Zhang

For more detailed information, see OwlSpark's website

Contact

For general information: Website For specific questions about OwlSpark: Questions