Screen Skinz Raises $1.5 Million to Disrupt $10 Billion Screen Protection Industry, Launches On-Demand Personalized Screen Protection With Disappearing Designs

South Loop Ventures and Abo Ventures led the round with additional investments from former Apple and NFL executives, Wheelhouse CEO Brent Montgomery, FEVO CEO Ari Daie and former NFL player Terrence Murphy to fuel personalized screen protectors across sports, entertainment, and customization.

HOUSTON, TX | APRIL 11, 2024 — Screen Skinz, the only vertically integrated, print on-demand screen protection company, has secured $1.5 million in initial funding to scale its product towards the estimated 311 million smartphone users in the U.S.

Notable investors include Houston-based South Loop Ventures, New Mexico-based Abo Ventures, former NFL wide receiver and entrepreneur Terrence Murphy, Wheelhouse CEO Brent Montgomery, FEVO CEO Ari Daie, Houston-based Mercury Fund executives, Starboard Star Venture Capital, former Apple Directors of Worldwide Mobile Accessory Products Wayne Pfeffer and Brendan O’Donnell, and former NFL SVP of Consumer Products Michelle Micone.

Screen Skinz initially partnered with Oregon-based Keyscaper to manufacture officially licensed screen protectors with logos from teams across the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, WNBA, and NCAA as well as entertainment brands from Marvel, Star Wars (LucasFilm), and WWE. Now the company is exploring new markets with the ability to print custom designs on-demand. Consumers will be able to customize their screen protectors with their personal logos, unique designs, inspirational quotes, or any text they choose. 

Screen Skinz co-founder and COO Clay Canning began selling screen protectors in 2017 as a high school student in Florida. Fellow co-founder and CEO RaShaun Brown joined Screen Skinz after starting his sports business career with roles at Russell Athletics, the Big East Conference, and the 12th Man Foundation for Texas A&M Athletics. Canning and Brown joined forces to establish Screen Skinz in 2021 and officially launched in 2022.

“Screen protection and cases are generally the first two things people think about buying when they purchase a new phone,” said Brown. “We are doing something really unique with the real estate on the front of the device that has been uncharted territory, combining personalization with the essential need of screen protection. We have the team, partners, and infrastructure to really seize this massive opportunity.”

According to data shared with Forbes by AT&T, 74% of people between the ages of 30 and 44 have broken a phone at least once. The data revealed that accidental drops are the main culprit. The U.S. screen protector market is worth around $10 billion and is projected to grow as consumers continue to spend to protect their devices. Companies like Zagg and Belkin have dominated the market, but the rise of Amazon brands, driven by competitive pricing, shows a change in consumers' perceived value. Screen Skinz aims to stand out by offering premium screen protection with the ability for consumers to personalize. Screen Skinz’s patent-pending process allows designs to be visible on-screen while your phone is off and disappear when your phone is in use. “I love the reaction I get when people see my phone, personalization is a true differentiator. I also invested in RaShaun and Clay as founders; their passion, drive and ambition is infectious!” said Pfeffer. 

Screen Skinz placed a huge emphasis on bringing manufacturing capabilities to the U.S. and optimizing inventory to support their on-demand business model, which was primarily focused on licensed products. “We originally had to hold inventory, which can be a headache for licensed goods. Now we have no inventory overhead and can produce a licensed or custom screen protector within 30 seconds, plus ship the same day in most cases” said Canning.  

Led by Brown and Canning, Screen Skinz has built a strong foundation supported by industry veterans in the consumer electronics space. The Screen Skinz advisory board includes Pfeffer, Micone, former Nike executives Mark Reeves, David Heath, and Jordan Morrell, and Magic Johnson Enterprises EVP Andre Johnson.  

Screen Skinz is part of 1876 Ventures in Aggieland, NBALAB incubator, and Texas-based accelerator DivInc.

About Screen Skinz:

Screen Skinz manufactures premium personalized screen protectors with disappearing designs. Create your own or select from officially licensed products. Screen Skinz partners with Keyscaper, Desert Cactus, and NBALAB to produce branded screen protectors that feature licensed marks from teams across the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, WNBA, and the NCAA via Fanatics and other distribution channels.

Media Contact

Andrew Cohen / Screen Skinz / andrew@screenskinz.co