By Katie Haley
The Burgess Institute is proud to announce two Spartan startups were recognized in the Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC) in Houston, Texas on April 12.
MotMot, a water and GovTech startup dedicated to how communities manage drinking water infrastructure secured second place overall in the WildCard round, earning the $2,000 Edward H. Molter Memorial Prize. This award recognizes the team's exceptional innovation, dedication, and creativity.
Additionally, AG3 Labs, a startup developing low cost, AI powered drones using cutting edge technology was recognized as a semifinalist team, placing in the top fifteen among some of the best student ventures in the nation.
Last year, MSU student startup, Protein Pints, took first place at the RBPC. This year, they were invited back to the 2025 competition to celebrate and support the continued success of student entrepreneurs.
Hosted by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, the Rice Business Plan Competition is the world’s largest and richest intercollegiate student startup competition and is the competition brings together elite programs and teams from across the country, and both MotMot and AG3 showcased the Spartan entrepreneurial spirit on the national stage.
About the Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation: The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation is the destination where students launch high-impact, entrepreneurial journeys at Michigan State University. The Burgess Institute empowers students to learn through action by providing global mentors, courses, seed funding, entrepreneurship competitions, student organizations, resources, and campus-wide co-working spaces.