Bringing Rice to the World
From London to Paris, Rice leaders spread the word about the university’s spirit of discovery, international footprint and collaboration.
Fall 2025
By Brandi Smith
In June, Rice teamed up with local and statewide partners to represent the university at back-to-back global innovation and trade forums. SXSW London (June 2–7) and Viva Technology 2025 (June 11–14) drew Rice faculty, researchers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders to two European capitals to showcase the university’s international reach, culture of innovation and collaborative partnership. What they found were like-minded attendees who shared a commitment to a mission of innovation.
From Austin to London: Rice Joins SXSW Showcase
In early June, Rice took center stage at the inaugural South by Southwest London, a conference and festival that channeled Austin’s legendary “South By” spirit in the heart of Shoreditch, East London. Much like its Texas model, SXSW London merged innovative programing in tech, creative industries, education and culture.
As part of the Texas House, Rice leaders showcased not only the university’s strength in business and innovation but also its deepening impact in Europe and beyond. For example, Paul Cherukuri, Rice’s chief innovation officer, laid out a bold vision for the future, positioning Rice as a driving force in discovery and impact.
“Higher education is really under a huge lens now,” Cherukuri said. “What we see is an opportunity — an opportunity to reinvent what higher education really means. And that’s what we’re doing in Texas.”
From cutting-edge biotech commercialization to global partnerships, Cherukuri emphasized that Rice is not just keeping pace — it’s setting the speed of innovation. That engagement is evident in initiatives like the Biotech Launch Pad and RBL LLC, aimed at accelerating the commercialization of biotech inventions, as well as the Ion, Rice’s flagship innovation hub at the heart of Houston’s growing Midtown innovation district.
“We’re wanting you all to know that Rice is actually engaged, not only in Houston, Texas, but globally. We are a global university. We bring the world to Houston.”
Cherukuri underscored Rice’s commitment to bridging the gap between research and real-world application. “When we create an invention, if we do not release it to the world … it is actually our responsibility to do so. Not doing so is actually a disservice to society.”
One of the university’s most ambitious moves is a partnership with Woodside Energy, launched in 2024, to create the Woodside-Rice Decarbonization Accelerator. The collaboration aims to bring advanced, lower-carbon technologies to market, starting with plasma-based material innovations.
Peter Rodriguez, dean of Rice Business, shared timely insights into why Texas — and Rice itself — are uniquely positioned to lead in global trade and economic collaboration.
“You need to think of an economy [Texas] — eighth largest in the world, 30 million people, a geographic footprint larger than France.” Beyond size, he emphasized, the real draw is Texas’ momentum: “Growth is the environment in which you want to invest. We see that in Texas in a very big way.” Rodriguez pointed to the state’s unmatched energy resources — “the No. 1 energy producer and exporter in the country” — as well as its growing renewable sector, diverse population and business-friendly climate.
“We want to bring together smart minds working at the vanguard of their technological fields and commercializing those ideas into something that makes a really positive difference.”
In March, Rice served as the educational partner for the inaugural Texas House during SXSW in Austin. A first-of-its-kind unofficial, off-site activation, the Texas House brought together thousands of attendees to showcase the bold ideas, pioneering spirit and world-class collaborations that define Texas’ forward-thinking vision.
We’re wanting you all to know that Rice is actually engaged, not only in Houston, Texas, but globally. We are a global university. We bring the world to Houston.
Rice at Viva Tech in Paris: Anchor and Amplifier
With startups on display, faculty in the spotlight and strategic partnerships underway, Rice made a powerful statement at Viva Technology 2025 — Europe’s largest technology conference — as co-leader of a historic trade mission to Paris. Rice joined the Greater Houston Partnership in hosting the first city booth at the global event, which drew more than 180,000 attendees from across the international tech ecosystem.
The Houston booth featured several Rice-affiliated startups: Rugged Robotics, DirectH2, MCatalysis, XMAD.ai, and ThirdAI. The foot traffic was steady from the moment the door opened, and interest only grew as visitors engaged with Rice entrepreneurs, faculty and students.
“There’s real curiosity about what’s happening in Houston,” said John Cypher, GHP’s vice president of international investment and trade. “People are surprised in a good way by how fast we’re growing in AI, energy transition and health tech.”
VivaTech served as both an anchor and amplifier for the broader Houston trade mission. For example, Rice hosted a welcome event at its Rice Global Paris Center, where faculty, startup founders and Houston business leaders gathered to kick off the week.
The mission to raise global awareness for Rice’s capabilities was especially evident in fast-moving sectors like artificial intelligence. For Rice computer scientist Anshumali Shrivastava, co-founder of ThirdAI, the global attention on AI at VivaTech made it an especially relevant place to be. Rice’s presence at the event sent a clear message: “VivaTech is a great place to show that we are truly a global institution.”
“At every turn, whether on the showroom floor or at our receptions, it was clear that Rice and Houston belong in this space,” said Caroline Levander, Rice’s vice president for global strategy. “We’re leaving Paris with more than visibility; we’re leaving with momentum.”