Innovation News

Welcome to the October Newsletter! Here's what's new this month:Our 2026 awardees spent time in Tulsa, the RRB team hit the road for Houston and New York, and two alumni picked up wins.

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2026 awardees visit Tulsa

Austere Environmental, BiaTech, BigMachine AI and Intellicessvisited Tulsa in early September. While here, the companies had the opportunity to visit the new Microsoft Cyber + AI Lab, tour a rig at H&P, and meet with corporate energy partners to move conversations forward on pilot development.We look forward to seeing their continued growth and impact over the next 12 months!

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RRB on the road: Houston and New York City

The RRB team attended Houston Climate & Energy Week and NYC Climate Week last month.  

In Houston, four RRB companies pitched at the Rice Alliance Energy Tech Venture Forum: alumni XALTER (RRB '24) and Pike Robotics (RRB '24), and current cohort members BiaTech and Intellicess. Each pitched alongside 97 other energy tech ventures, with Pike Robotics named a Most Promising Company.

The RRB team used both weeks to connect with industry leaders and investors, hear what's next in energy tech, and bring those insights back to Tulsa and the RRB community.

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Alumni spotlight: Pike Robotics

Pike Robotics (RRB ‘24) was honored as one of the Most Promising Companies at the Rice Alliance's 23rd Annual Energy Tech Venture Forum.

The forum brought founders, investors, and industry leaders from across the U.S. and around the world to Rice University to showcase what's next in energy.

97 ventures, which have collectively raised more than $1 billion, pitched to active investors, technology scouts, and corporate leaders. At the close of the forum, attending investors selected 10 ventures as Most Promising Companies, and one additional venture received People's Choice recognition.

Congratulations to the Pike Robotics team on this honor!  

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Alumni spotlight: Austere Environmental

Austere Environmental (RRB ‘26) won first place in New Mexico's Q Station Energy Challenge, earning a $25,000 non-dilutive award.  

The challenge is designed to bring entrepreneurs, researchers, industry partners, and investors together to develop scalable solutions to improve performance and efficiency across energy sectors—oil and gas, wind, solar, nuclear, and emerging technologies.

During the 3-month accelerator, participants receive mentorship and guidance, concluding in a pitch competition. Austere took first place on their pitch among 20 companies.  

Congratulations to the Austere Environmental team on this award!

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