Clay Canning had an concept whereas in highschool: smartphone display protectors that featured logos, proper on the display.
He later linked with Rashaun Brown, who was working in sports activities and licensing on the time, and the concept for Display Skinz was born.
“We both understood the opportunity and complemented each other’s weakness,” Brown, the corporate’s CEO, instructed TechCrunch. “In December 2022, I resigned from my job to pursue building Screen Skinz with Clay full time.”
Now, Display Skinz can formally announce the closing of a $1.5 million seed spherical led by South Loop Ventures and Abo Ventures.
The corporate produces customized, patent-pending cellphone display protectors that function customized logos or slogans which might be seen when the cellphone display is black after which disappear when the cellphone is in use. Prospects can create their very own designs or decide from the corporate’s present catalog.
Cellphone equipment have at all times been a large market, with the worldwide display protector market alone value an estimated $51 billion as of 2023.
Display Skinz already holds artistic licenses with numerous big-name manufacturers, working with organizations such because the NFL and NBA and leisure manufacturers like Marvel and the WWE.
Instance of Display Skinz display protector. Picture Credit: Display Skinz
The most recent fundraise allowed Display Skinz to maneuver manufacturing from Asia to the U.S., permitting it to extra simply management its provide chain.
The corporate is seeking to double down on the display safety trade, and although it at present solely focuses on smartphones, there’s a plan to in the future broaden to creating display protectors for tablets. “With our IP, we can essentially develop screen protection for any mobile device that has use for a screen protector and features a backlit display,” Brown mentioned.
Brown described Display Skinz’s fundraising course of as “different,” stating that it took the corporate a few 12 months to shut its seed spherical. Brown and Canning deliberately took their time, as in addition they sought to refine their provide chain and put together stock for a mass go-to-market. “We wanted to do the work of selling a realistic vision to investors,” Brown mentioned.
Display Skinz met its co-lead investor, Abo Ventures, by means of Brown’s community from when he labored at Texas A&M. They then met South Loop Ventures whereas collaborating within the DivInc Sports activities Tech Accelerator in Houston.
Michelle Micone, the previous SVP of client merchandise at NFL and Hasbro, mentioned she appreciated that the group had a novel idea and likewise found out the manufacturing and logistics of manufacturing it. “Customers want a high level of personalization, but it’s really, really hard to deliver on time and at a reasonable price. Screen Skinz has that formula, and I wanted to be part of it,” she instructed TechCrunch.
Different traders within the spherical embrace Brent Montgomery, the CEO of Wheelhouse CEO, alongside Wayne Pfeffer and Brendan O’Donnel, former administrators of worldwide cell accent merchandise at Apple. Pfeffer, specifically, was additionally offered on the concept of constructing display protectors extra personalizable. “For years, personalizing your device was limited to the case,” he instructed TechCrunch. “Once I noticed the evolution to the entrance on a display protector, I used to be offered!
Brown mentioned the corporate might look to boost as early as subsequent 12 months once more. Display Skinz subsequent has some partnerships lined up and is targeted on buyer acquisition and deepening licensing relationships.
