Chris Kanik is the CEO and Founder of Smart Cups, a trailblazing sustainability-driven technology company that achieved global recognition with its flagship product—a printed energy drink. Chris oversees the company's 23,000 sqft manufacturing and R&D facility in Southern California. Chris' visionary leadership continues to drive Smart Cups' commitment to sustainability and innovation, positioning the company at the forefront of revolutionary technological advancements. 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 Smart Cups by winning Season 1 of Gordon Ramsay's Food Stars, securing a $250,000 investment from Gordon Ramsay himself. Smart Cups revolutionized the consumer market in 2018 by introducing the World's First Printed Beverage, employing a patented delivery system technology that enables the printing of flavors and active materials directly on substrate surfaces. This groundbreaking approach extends beyond beverages and finds applications in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, food, veterinary and cosmetics, contributing to a significant reduction in storage and transportation requirements and, consequently, a more sustainable utilization of the world’s resources.Born and raised in Union City, New Jersey, Chris Kanik's entrepreneurial drive and creative spirit are deeply rooted in his experience as the first generation born to Cuban and Turkish immigrant parents. Having witnessed firsthand the challenges and disparities within socio-economic classes, Chris is inherently drawn to disrupting norms and crafting innovative solutions.Chris' journey into innovation began at a young age. At 12, he entered a lab to investigate the chemical degradation of aspartame in diet sodas. By 14, he was contributing to research on adipocyte metabolism in mice, eventually exploring biologically based nano-robots in a NASA-funded project at Rutgers University's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Despite graduating from Cornell University with a BA in Economics, Chris diverged from the conventional path and pursued his passion for stand-up comedy on the New York circuit. His sharp wit and adept audience engagement quickly made him a fixture on the New York comedy scene, touring nationally and headlining internationally, including performances in large stadium crowds.