Shared Vision, a Rocklin startup that helps social media influencers and creators earn money by offering them direct links to the products they are endorsing, won the top prize in the Sacramento Kings Capitalize Contest.
The company takes home the $10,000 cash prize and wins free telephony services from San Francisco-based software company Dialpad Inc., a contest sponsor.
“Shared Vision is honored to win such a high caliber competition,” said Spencer Bardsley, CEO of Shared Vision, in a news release. “The mentorship we received throughout the contest and prize package provided will help to propel our business forward and we are thrilled to see what comes next thanks to the Sacramento Kings, Dialpad and City of Sacramento."
Bardsley said the company's software allows consumers who follow social media influencers to buy their featured products in real time through their sites. The company can provide creators with links to retailers Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and Amazon (Nasdaq: AMZN), among others.
The final four companies were chosen during an in-person pitch session March 1 at Golden 1 Center.
Folsom-based App Orchid took home $3,000 for second place. It uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to quickly build apps for enterprise energy and utility customers.
Davis-based Ravata Solutions won $1,500 for third place. It's developing technology to improve in vitro fertilization success for people and animals.
The Sacramento Kings Capitalize contest got more than 100 applicants this year.
Last year's winner, Elk Grove-based EyeRate, an online review platform that pays retail employees for good customer reviews, just raised $4 million in a seed round led by Folsom venture capital firm Moneta Ventures.
The winner of the contest was announced during the game between the Sacramento Kings and the Phoenix Suns on March 24. The Kings won that game, moving a step closer to their first playoffs in 16 years.
