-- Competition Builds on Success of the Eighth Annual Capitalize: Tech Contest --
-- Applications Due Friday, August 18 at 11:59 p.m. --
Today, the Sacramento Kings announced the opening of the inaugural Capitalize: Food, the second contest in the franchise’s Capitalize competition series. The contest aims to provide exceptionally skilled and creative food entrepreneurs from the region with a unique opportunity to demonstrate their culinary expertise and bolster their brand equity and exposure.
"We are excited to launch the newest competition within the highly successful Capitalize platform," said Sacramento Kings President of Business Operation John Rinehart. "Capitalize: Food will celebrate the creativity and passion of culinary talent throughout the Sacramento region and we look forward to discovering the diverse talent in our community and sharing their creations with Kings fans and beyond."
Businesses located within 70 miles of Golden 1 Center may apply to Capitalize: Food at Kings.com/CapitalizeFood and the winner will receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have their food and/or restaurant brand featured and served at Golden 1 Center at select home games during the 2023-24 NBA Season. In addition, the winner’s creation will be showcased during the Kings 2023 Media Food Tasting this fall. The application period closes on Friday, August 18 at 11:59 p.m.
Select applicants will receive mentorship and coaching as they prepare for Pitch Day. At Pitch Day, a panel of successful executives, investors and industry leaders will select the four finalists. The four finalists will compete in a cook-off event, bringing their concepts to life in Golden 1 Center’s kitchen for a chance to win placement inside the arena. The winner will then be announced on September 19.
Capitalize launched in 2016 as the NBA’s first crowdsourced startup competition and has drawn hundreds of applicants from the Greater Sacramento region. In January 2023, the Kings announced the expansion of the Capitalize platform with plans to include two new programs, Capitalize: Food and Capitalize: Innovation. The Capitalize: Innovation contest will launch next year.
Capitalize: Food
For eligibility information and details on how to enter, visit Kings.com/CapitalizeFood.