Houston-based Rice University has launched its Rice AI Venture Accelerator (RAVA) that aims to help AI start-up firms connect with major corporations and public sector organizations and address real-world challenges that can be solved with AI solutions.
The larger goal of the RAVA effort is to foster the next wave of AI breakthroughs and to help startups scale transformative technologies across industries, the university said.
The university is running the accelerator program through its existing Rice Nexus innovation hub in Houston and is partnering on the effort with Google Public Sector – which will lend its expertise in AI and machine learning tech – along with technology and sandbox services provided by Google Cloud.
While the program will use the Rice Nexus facility as its physical anchor space, the accelerator will be open to start-ups nationwide, the university said.
“This collaboration builds on Rice’s decades-long history of innovation and aligns perfectly with our mission to transform breakthrough research into real-world impact,” commented Reginald DesRoches, president of the university. “Through RAVA, we are creating an ecosystem where industry leaders can access the next generation of AI-driven solutions.”
Reymund Dumlao, director of state and local government and education at Google Public Sector, said the company is “proud to partner” with Rice University. “We’re enabling the next generation of AI pioneers to develop solutions that address critical challenges across industries and the public sector.”
Leading the Rice Nexus effort is Executive Director Sanjoy Paul, who said his focus will be on applying AI across biotech, energy, climate, and health care sectors.
“Our goal is to maximize the return on investment for our corporate partners, driving meaningful innovation that will have lasting impact on their industries,” said Paul.
“This partnership is poised to accelerate the commercialization and real-world impact of AI solutions in ways that were previously unimaginable,” added Paul Cherukuri, Rice University’s vice president for innovation.
