Twenty veteran-owned companies from across the country will pitch their business ideas at the 2019Veterans Business Battle at Rice University.

The semifinalists will present to a panel of investors April 12, and judges will select the top five, who will present their pitches again April 13 for a chance at prize money and investment offers.

The competition includes new ventures and owner-operated businesses, both seeking investments to launch or expand. All semifinalists have the potential to receive investment offers.

"We are very excited about the great group of companies that are coming to Houston next month," said event co-chairman Asad Akram. "It’s our goal to introduce them to a network that can help their businesses grow and succeed."

The Greater Houston business community has shown its support for the Veterans Business Battle, organizers said. This year’s key sponsors are The William Stamps Farish Fund, Bellatorum Resources and Schlumberger.

Since the competition's inception in 2015, more than $3 million has been invested in veteran-owned businesses. Investments come in the form of loans, equity investments and partnerships.

The two-day event also includes information sessions about financing and entrepreneurship as well as networking with investors and business leaders. The event is hosted by Rice’s Veterans in Business Association, a student organization for military veterans pursuing Master of Business Administration degrees at Rice's Jones Graduate School of Business.

The semifinalists are:

Amor Oral, Houston

And I Like It, Dallas

City Gym, Dallas

Gotta Have It Fan Foams, Springfield, Va.

Family Proud, San Diego

FeedMe Fitness, Houston

Harvard Telemedicine, Floresville, Texas

Harvest Returns, Fort Worth, Texas

High Country Air Service, Albuquerque, N.M.

Knifehand Nutrition, Syracuse, N.Y.

Maco, New York

Off Duty Blue, Syracuse, N.Y.

Power Polymer, Wimberley, Texas

Randian, Los Angeles

Reimbi, Portland, Ore.

Rock N Roe Aquaponics, Corpus Christi, Texas

Safe Stamp, Nashville, Tenn.

SEE ID, Newcastle, Wash.

Welcome Connect, Houston

Zanbazan, Bryan, Texas

Winners will be announced at a dinner April 13. The objective of the competition is to launch as many businesses as possible.

For more information, visit https://business.rice.edu/vbb.