Santa Monica, CA – June 9, 2026 – Ekkobar, a data intelligence company transforming how organizations understand and act on social media, has been named Startup of the Year at TechPoint’s 2026 MIRA Awards—one of the most prestigious honors in Indiana’s technology ecosystem.
A portfolio company of 1752vc, Ekkobar is rapidly emerging as a category-defining platform at the intersection of AI, sports, and entertainment. Founded by Rhys Ryan and Amber Dodson, the company enables clients to analyze social media data and convert digital conversation into actionable business insight.
The MIRA Awards recognized Ekkobar for its advanced product, strong traction, and a team with deep experience in the entertainment industry.
Since launching its first product in 2024, Ekkobar has quickly gained momentum across the sports and media landscape. Its proprietary Social Decision Intelligence technology translates complex online conversation into measurable insights around audience resonance, cultural relevance, sponsorship value, and digital risk.
Earlier this year, the company partnered with Sports Tech HQ to launch The Social Combine, a first-of-its-kind platform that evaluated NFL Draft prospects based on their digital presence and cultural impact—expanding how teams, brands, and leagues assess talent beyond on-field performance.
“Ekkobar is exactly the type of company we back at 1752vc—founders building entirely new categories with real market pull,” said a spokesperson for 1752vc. “Their ability to turn social data into decision-making infrastructure is both timely and transformative.”
The recognition further reinforces 1752vc’s strategy of investing in high-growth companies leveraging data, AI, and emerging platforms to redefine industries.
About Ekkobar
Ekkobar is redefining how sports and entertainment brands understand social conversations. By transforming complex dialogue into clear, actionable intelligence, Ekkobar empowers organizations to protect reputations, manage risk, and make confident decisions when perception matters most.
About 1752vc
1752vc (formerly Pegasus Angel Accelerator) is the #1 investment and growth acceleration firm in Southern California dedicated to identifying and scaling high-potential startups. Combining strategic capital with deep industry expertise, 1752vc helps transform innovative businesses into market leaders. Headquartered in Santa Monica, the firm’s team of seasoned entrepreneurs, operators, and investors brings decades of experience building and scaling successful companies. Learn more at 1752.vc and 1752.ai
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