97. Chris Kanik on Changing the World One Cup at a Time

Purpose and Profit with Kathy Varol

Chris Kanik is the CEO and Founder of Smart Cups, a sustainability-driven technology company that achieved global recognition with its flagship product—a printed energy drink. All of the flavors and ingredients are printed on the button of a cup, just add water. The Smart Cups printed technology eliminates the need to bottle and ship liquids, significantly reducing carbon footprint.

Smart Cups Technology was recognized on Time Magazine's 100 Best Inventions of the Year list for 2021. Chris also gained global exposure for Smart Cups by winning Season 1 of Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars, securing a $250,000 investment from Gordon Ramsay himself.

In this episode, we discuss:

● The inspiration for Smart Cups

● Why Smart Cups is pursuing a white-label strategy

● The reasoning behind releasing an energy drink as their first product

Key Takeaways:

● A Simple Truth with Big Ripples: Smart Cups is tackling a profound yet simple truth: shipping water as a primary ingredient in products is unnecessary. By letting the end consumer add water themselves, industries can slash emissions from transporting heavy, water-laden goods. Think of the potential impact across sectors—soft drinks, laundry detergents, cleaning supplies, shampoos, conditioners—the list is endless. This shift doesn’t just cut emissions; it reimagines how products are made, sold, and consumed.

● Awareness as the Seed of Change: Actions drive change, but awareness is often the spark that starts it all. Awareness has the power to shift perspectives and open minds, creating a ripple effect that spreads through society. As more people become aware, the momentum grows, leading to collective action that can transform entire systems. Awareness isn’t just a passive state—it’s the ignition point for meaningful change.

● The Unexpected Doorway to Innovation: Innovation can strike at the most unexpected times. Often, the doorway to innovation opens through frustration with the status quo or daydreaming about what could be. For Smart Cups, the doorway to innovation happened at a Taco Tuesday. When you find that doorway, let your imagination wander through it. You never know where it might lead—perhaps to a transformative idea that changes how we live.

References:

● Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

● Smart Cups

● The Smart Cups investment offering on StartEngine

● UCLA paper: “Reducing life cycle material, energy and emissions for liquid consumer products through printing”

● Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars

● “The Best Inventions of 2021”, Time Magazine

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