Shaker shook things up at the TechCrunch Disrupt San Francisco 2011. As winner of the semi-annual startup contest, shaker walks away with the trophy and $50,000.
After considering 29 startups the judges were won over by the virtual bar Shaker. Using Facebook data and connections, users “meet” in a virtual bar as avatars. The app provides information about everyone in the room so that players can see what they have in common with each other. Facebook pictures are placed on a virtual wall, and players can buy each other drinks. The unique feature of this game is that it allows players to meet new people as opposed to only playing with people you already know.
Shaker came to Disrupt with $3 million in funding and there is talk that TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington is planning on investing in it as well. It’s homebase is Tel Aviv, Israel and that is where it has been tested. The team had to shut it down because it was going viral and they didn’t want the word to get out before the San Francisco Disrupt.
The reaction to the Shaker win was mixed. Most of the complaints point out the fact that this startup does not solve any real problems. One commentator called it a third grade idea. The idea behind Disrupt is to support new technologies that solve real world problems. Some people are disheartened by Shaker’s win because it does not. Others just want to have some fun.
