OUR IMPACT
RUSSELL INNOVATION CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURS
THE RICE REPORT: VOLUME 1
RICE STAKEHOLDER STORIES
Affording Greater Access
M-T Strickland & Metric Mate
Metric Mate is a visionary fitness technology company that has been a RICE stakeholder since 2019. Over the past several years, RICE has profoundly shaped Co-Founder M-T Strickland’s business and journey as an entrepreneur. RICE has walked alongside Metric Mate—from concept phase to the company’s first $10,000 in revenue to making an appearance on ABC’s Shark Tank. M-T attributes a large part of his company’s ability to overcome challenges and constraints to the combination of RICE’s Big IDEAS learning platform and one-on-one time with experienced business advisors. A defining moment for Metric Mate came when, through participation in RICE’s Supply Chain Accelerator, the company was able to make inroads with a significant new customer. Through the Accelerator, RICE opened doors and shortened the path to decision makers at Walt Disney Company. M-T shared, “We didn’t know what was feasible but now we are working on a pilot to take Metric Mate technology to the Disney ecosystem. I can honestly say that wouldn’t have happened without RICE.”
In addition, RICE’s Logistics Launchpad has helped streamline Metric Mate’s operations. Strickland says, “The Launchpad has allowed me to get my hands out of shipping and fulfillment. And the fact that we have access to personnel that can help us navigate complexity in our supply chain is so beneficial. For me, access is the number one thing [RICE] provides.” “Being a part of the RICE community has been an absolute game changer. Through RICE, I have access to organizations and individuals that have already seen and been where we are going.” —M-T STRICKLAND
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