Kristen McClellan
Kristen is the Founder of SnappyScreen, Inc. SnappyScreen is a touchless sunscreen application system and a new, easy, and effective alternative to the tedious manual application of sunscreen. Customers stand in front of the device, select their SPF (15,30,40) and height on an interactive touchscreen and receive an even application of sunscreen in seconds.
Kristen came up with the idea for SnappyScreen on a family vacation after watching her sister apply sunscreen for 20 minutes and still end up with a splotchy tan. Knowing there had to be an easier way, she pitched the idea in an Elevator Pitch Competition as a freshman at Cornell, placing second place to a Cornell Johnson School of Business graduate student. She then joined the eLab, Cornell’s business incubator, and developed her concept throughout college. During her sophomore year, Kristen became a finalist in the “Movers and Changers” business competition run by the New York Stock Exchange and MTV. Between her junior and senior years, Kristen developed the third prototype and tested the design at the Aruba Marriott in 2011. 400 people used SnappyScreen in 4 days and after the successful trial period, Kristen decided to pursue SnappyScreen full-time.
Post-graduation, Kristen then focused on perfecting the design of the device and raising capital to support the development. In December 2015, SnappyScreen launched the device and has rolled out several devices to 4 & 5 star hotels in the US, Caribbean and Mexico. SnappyScreen continues to expand to hotel properties and has been attracting interest from new industries such as cruise lines, country clubs, waterparks, and public beaches.
Kristen holds a BS in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and a Certificate in Business Marketing and Management. She has been featured on CNBC, Eyewitness News, Fox5, Fast Company and NPR for creating the future of sunscreen application.
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Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.