How much funding has Lilie Summer Venture Studio raised?

Lilie Summer Venture Studio has raised Not applicable — the Summer Venture Studio is a university accelerator program that distributes $15,000 per venture per cohort, not a company that raises funding. in total funding. Key investors include The program is operated and funded by the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Lilie) at Rice University, supported by university endowments and philanthropic donations..

Where is Lilie Summer Venture Studio headquartered?

Lilie Summer Venture Studio is headquartered in Houston, Texas (at Rice University). The company has a team of 8 people.

When was Lilie Summer Venture Studio founded?

Lilie Summer Venture Studio was founded in 2023. It is based in Houston, Texas (at Rice University).

How much funding has Lilie Summer Venture Studio raised?

Lilie Summer Venture Studio has raised Not applicable — the Summer Venture Studio is a university accelerator program that distributes $15,000 per venture per cohort, not a company that raises funding. in total funding. Key investors include The program is operated and funded by the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Lilie) at Rice University, supported by university endowments and philanthropic donations..

Who is the CEO of Lilie Summer Venture Studio?

Kyle Judah is the CEO of Lilie Summer Venture Studio. The company was founded in 2023.

Where is Lilie Summer Venture Studio located?

Lilie Summer Venture Studio is headquartered in Houston, Texas (at Rice University).

What funding stage is Lilie Summer Venture Studio at?

Lilie Summer Venture Studio is currently at the Active stage.

How many employees does Lilie Summer Venture Studio have?

Lilie Summer Venture Studio has approximately 8 employees.

Lilie Summer Venture Studio

An immersive 12-week summer accelerator program for Rice University student founders, providing equity-free funding, mentorship, and resources to develop their ventures. Lilie Summer Venture Studio was founded in 2023. The company is led by Kyle Judah. Based in Houston, Texas (at Rice University). Team size: 8. Total funding raised: Not applicable — the Summer Venture Studio is a university accelerator program that distributes $15,000 per venture per cohort, not a company that raises funding.. Key investors include The program is operated and funded by the Liu Idea Lab for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (Lilie) at Rice University, supported by university endowments and philanthropic donations..

Founded: 2023
Headquarters: Houston, Texas (at Rice University)
Team size: 8
Total funding: Not applicable — the Summer Venture Studio is a university accelerator program that distributes $15,000 per venture per cohort, not a company that raises funding.

Value proposition

Provides student-led ventures with $15,000 in non-dilutive funding, dedicated co-working space, one-on-one mentorship, and workshops to accelerate their growth from idea to impact.

Products and solutions

12-week immersive summer accelerator, Equity-free funding, Dedicated mentorship and workshops, Co-working space at the Liu Idea Lab, Demo Day showcase

Unique value

The program is unique for its deep integration within the Rice University ecosystem, offering individualized, hands-on support and significant non-dilutive (equity-free) funding specifically for student founders.

Target customer

Rice University student founders and teams from all majors and degree programs, including recent graduates.

Industries served

Industry Agnostic

Technology advantage

Leverages Rice University's extensive resources, including faculty expertise, research facilities, a strong alumni network, and direct connections to the Houston innovation ecosystem like The Ion and Helix Park.

How they differentiate

Differentiates by focusing exclusively on the Rice University community with a highly customized, cohort-based program and providing non-dilutive funding, as opposed to student-run VC funds or accelerators open to a broader range of applicants.

Main competitors

StartX (Stanford University), MIT Sandbox Innovation Fund Program, Dorm Room Fund (multi-university)

Key partnerships

Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, OwlSpark, The Ion Houston

Notable customers

Helix Earth Technologies and Solidec (largest startup tenants in Houston’s Ion District), Coflux Purification (PFAS destruction), Norra (Y Combinator), Morph Labs, Veloci

Major milestones

Launched inaugural SVS in Summer 2023., 2024 and 2025 cohorts: 8 ventures each, record applications in 2025., Jun 2026: selected 9 ventures for 2026 cohort across healthcare, AI, robotics, agriculture, and defense., Alumni outcomes: Norra accepted to Y Combinator, Solidec and Helix Earth became the two largest startup tenants in Houston’s Ion District, Morph Labs and Veloci earned national recognition, >50% of participating ventures raised pre-seed or seed.

Growth metrics

Now in its fourth annual cycle (launched 2023). Supported 8 ventures in 2024 and 2025; selected 9 ventures for the 2026 cohort (began with 10; two teams merged). More than half of alumni ventures have raised pre-seed or seed financing.

Market positioning

A premier, university-centric accelerator designed to nurture high-potential ventures emerging directly from the Rice University student body.

Geographic focus

Houston, Texas, with a focus on talent from Rice University.

Patents and IP

Not applicable at the program level. Individual ventures within the cohort may develop their own IP.

About Kyle Judah

Kyle Judah is the Executive Director at Lilie, where he also teaches Financing the Startup Venture. With his vast background in a variety of innovation, leadership, and higher-education roles, Kyle is dedicated to creating systems and processes to help develop new ideas, programs and technologies, and translate them into real world impact – helping students launch world changing startups.

Official website: https://entrepreneurship.rice.edu/rice-startup-accelerator