The Sacramento Kings Capitalize contest named the 16 local technology companies that are vying for cash in a March Madness-style tournament.
The Kings said they had a record number of applicants for the 16 spots in 2023, its eighth year. They got 140 applicants last year.
The select 16 will get pared down to half of that this Friday, and then the final eight companies will get some extra coaching leading to a pitch day, March 1.
The four finalists will make pitch videos, and the winner will be decided by judges and fans' votes at the Kings' home game against the Phoenix Suns March 24. The winner will receive $10,000.
The Capitalize contenders this year are:
- 3D Organic Polymer Silk, Davis company working with spider silk as glue for medical uses.
- Adload Technologies Inc., a Sacramento company that sells digital screen advertising on big rigs.
- App Orchid, a San Ramon- and Folsom-based company that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to quickly build apps for enterprise energy and utility customers.
- Bekonix Inc., a Sacramento company that developed a no-code platform to build internet-of-things systems.
- Core Impact, an Elk Grove company with wearable smart technology to measure sports performance.
- Dropt, a brand loyalty and engagement platform using blockchain technology.
- Ferreter Inc., a Santa Monica-based company whose app helps with business due diligence on individuals and companies.
- Happy Ladders Inc., an El Dorado Hills company with a digital autism therapy program for parents.
- HiDO Inc., a Sacramento developer of an integrated platform for home health care.
- HuLoop Automation Inc., an Auburn company that uses artificial intelligence to help clients enable business-process automation, robotic-process automation and software-test automation.
- Innovations Health Systems LLC, a Citrus Heights-based developer of health care services and advanced medical products.
- Lasedyne Corp., a developer of hydrogen-based electric car charging technology.
- Now Performance Inc., a company developing activity programs for youth to get more exercise.
- Ravata Solutions, a Davis company with technology to improve in vitro fertilization success for people and animals.
- Shared Vision, Rocklin company offering online affiliate link marketing management.
- Sunexis, a Davis company developing UV sunscreen technology that is less toxic.
Last year, the winner was Elk Grove’s EyeRate, an online review startup that now has grown to more than 40 employees.
The Kings this year also are adding food innovation and global innovation contests to the ongoing Kings Capitalize contest. The "Capitalize: Food" and "Capitalize: Innovation" contests will launch later this year with strategic goals to be set by the Kings.
This year's contest is presented by the Kings and partner Dialpad, a communications technology company based in San Francisco.
