Rice University and MoreThan Capital (MTC), a Luxembourg-based venture capital and advisory firm, are pleased to announce a strategic collaboration aimed at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship originating from Rice University and accelerating the growth of Houston’s innovation ecosystem.
MoreThan Capital has established its inaugural global office within the Rice Nexus, the university’s premier innovation hub located in the heart of Houston’s Ion District. Spanning 10,000 square feet across two floors of the Ion building, the Rice Nexus provides state-of-the-art facilities designed to support faculty, students and alumni in transforming breakthrough research into high-impact startups, with a particular emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) and deep technology.
“The Rice Nexus is where world-changing ideas meet world-class execution,” said Paul Cherukuri, Rice’s vice president for innovation and chief innovation officer. “Partnering with MTC injects an unmatched global network directly into our innovation ecosystem—connecting Rice’s brilliant faculty and student entrepreneurs with the capital, mentorship and reach they need to build the next generation of transformative companies right here in Houston.”
MoreThan Capital is distinguished by its community of over 100 limited partners—senior executives and professional investors based in over 35 countries who have each committed to contribute more than just capital. This collective commitment encompasses time, mentorship, industry expertise and global connections, all aimed at accelerating the growth of companies poised to lead change and create impact.
“Establishing our first global office at the Rice Nexus within the Ion District is a significant milestone for MoreThan Capital,” said Guillermo Ruiz, general partner. “We are dedicated to partnering with top-tier academic institutions like Rice University and aligning with organizations that share our core values of trust, engagement and impact. Together we aim to empower founders emerging from Rice and the Houston ecosystem to scale their innovations and to make a global impact.”
“The Rice Nexus is a launchpad for world-changing ideas, and this partnership with MoreThan Capital is a key step in realizing that vision,” said Sanjoy Paul, executive director of the Rice Nexus. “By combining Rice’s research and entrepreneurial talent with MTC’s global network and mentorship, we are creating an unparalleled engine for innovation that starts in Houston and reaches the world.”
The Ion District, powered by Rice University, serves as a 16-acre innovation district in Midtown Houston, designed to bring together entrepreneurs, corporations and academic institutions to collaborate and drive technological advancements. The Rice Nexus acts as the university’s front door to this vibrant ecosystem, offering direct access to Rice’s talent, technology and entrepreneurship programming.
“This collaboration with MTC represents a meeting of entities with shared values – the tagline of Rice’s Momentous ten-year strategic plan is ‘Personalized Scale for Global Impact,’ paralleled by MTC’s support that goes beyond capital combined with a global network,” said Adrian Trömel, associate vice president for strategy and investments at Rice. “We look forward to working with MTC to drive innovation and global impact.”