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Kent, OHIO – �Ը������� alumna Olivia Fenneken MBA ’25, founder of Cottage Core, earned a spot in the prestigious 2026 Rice Business Plan Competition (RBPC) held earlier this month.

Now in its 26th year, RBPC, presented by Rice Business and hosted by the Rice Alliance for Technology and Entrepreneurship, brings together the most promising graduate student ventures from universities across the U.S. and around the world. The 42 selected startups were chosen by a panel of venture capitalists, corporate leaders and entrepreneurs based on innovation, market potential and investability. Finalists competed for more than $1 million in prizes.

“To be selected as one of 42 startups out of the entire world to compete at this level is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I am so proud to be the first �Ը������� student to participate,” Olivia said. “I am beyond thankful for the support from �Ը�������, my friends and family who helped get me to this point.”

Fenneken founded Cottage Core as a �Ը������� MBA student and pitched her idea during the John S. and Marlene J. Brinzo Center for Entrepreneurship’s Fall 2025 Idea Pitch competition at the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship. She came in third place in the competition.

According to the , Cottage Core is “designed as a fun way to get in more protein without compromising your sweet tooth. Designed by a former collegiate athlete who wanted a snack that tastes like dessert without the compromise.”

At �Ը�������, Fenneken was a dual degree MBA student, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Business Management, a Professional Sales Certificate and an MBA in International Business. She was a member of the �Ը������� Cross Country and Track and Field teams as well as the Sales Team. She served on the Student Athletic Advisory Council, the Intercollegiate Athletic Committee and was a member of Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity.

“It’s really exciting to see one of our students make it into the Rice Business Plan Competition - it’s an incredibly competitive field,” said Linda Hale, manager of the John S. and Marlene J. Brinzo Center for Entrepreneurship. “It speaks volumes about Olivia’s entrepreneurial drive, competitive spirit, and willingness to put herself out there on a national stage.”