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Skullcandy is a privately held company based in Park City, Utah that designs and produces headphones, earphones, hands free devices, audio backpacks, MP3 players and other audio enabled lifestyle products. The company was founded in 2003. Skullcandy's products are targeted at the outdoor action sports demographic (snowboarders,skateboarders, etc.) and general consumer market. Skullcandy products are sold through retailers, specialty outlets, and their online store.
Rick Alden formed Skullcandy in 2003 with the goal of designing music listening products that fit into an active action sports lifestyle. With a background in snowboarding and actions sports, Alden envisioned a music need in board sports. The first Skullcandy product—the Skullcandy Portable Link—was introduced at the 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada. The LINK system combined headphones with hands-free cellular technology, allowing users to both listen to music from a portable audio device, while making and receiving calls through their cell phone. In 2003, Alden sold the first products to Milo Snow & Skate, an action sports shop in Utah. Alden was named one of vSpring Capital's "Top 100 Venture Entrepreneurs" of 2008, and holds a patent for technology that integrates mobile phones and music players, LINK technology. In December 2008 the company was noted as being "the world's coolest ear bud," by Fortune Magazine. In addition, the company received local standing in 2008, placing in the Utah Business Fast 50, featuring the top 50 best and most innovative companies throughout the state. The company has quickly jumped to its place as the third most-sold headphone in the U.S. marketplace. In 2005 the company had $1.3 million in annual sales, while its 2009 ranking puts it in place to hit the $100 million mark. As quoted by the Salt Lake Tribune, "We're gunning for No. 1," said Andrus, Skullcandy's President. Also during the fiscal fourth quarter of 2008, Skullcandy was financially backed by Goode Partners, a New York based private equity firm.
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