Smartcups Printed Technology and Winning Food Stars | Chris Kanik #social333podcast #80
Smartcups Printed Technology and Winning Food Stars | Chris Kanik #social333podcast #80  
Podcast: Social 333 Podcast
Published On: Wed Dec 17 2025
Description: Smartcups Printed Technology and Winning Food Stars | Chris Kanik #social333podcast #80 In this fascinating episode of the Social 333 Podcast, host Chris D. Bentley sits down with Chris Kanik, the innovative founder of Smartcups and a winner on Food Network’s Food Stars. Chris shares the story behind one of the most disruptive packaging technologies in the food and beverage industry — a patented printed technology that changes how products are stored, transported, and consumed.From early invention and setbacks to landing on national television and scaling a physical product brand, Chris breaks down what it really takes to innovate in a crowded consumer market. This conversation dives deep into entrepreneurship, product development, branding, licensing, and the realities of bringing a physical product to market.Whether you’re an inventor, entrepreneur, brand builder, or simply curious how breakthrough ideas become real businesses, this episode offers rare insight into innovation at scale.✅ The story behind Smartcups and printed hydration technology ✅ How printed tech is changing food and beverage packaging ✅ What it takes to build and protect a patented product ✅ Lessons from winning Food Network’s Food Stars ✅ The challenges of manufacturing, scaling, and distribution ✅ Advice for inventors and consumer product entrepreneurs📌 CHAPTERS 00:00 – Intro 00:08 – Meet Chris Kanik 02:04 – Early fascination with science and experimentation 06:33 – Blowing things up and curiosity-driven learning 06:57 – What Smartcups does and who the product is for 07:46 – Raising capital and automating the business 09:15 – Why Smartcups could change access in third-world countries 10:31 – Interest from the military and government use cases 10:58 – Winning Food Stars and working with Gordon Ramsay 12:12 – Gordon Ramsay off-camera vs on-camera 14:55 – The dark side of fame and sudden visibility 18:33 – Dealing with strangers, money requests, and attention 19:40 – Meeting Mike Tyson and celebrity encounters 23:40 – TIME Best Invention recognition and company momentum 24:43 – What Chris would change to reach success faster 26:10 – Where to find Chris Kanik🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, inventors, and innovators pushing industries forward. 📣 Share this episode with someone building a product or chasing a big idea.