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Science Inc. is a Los Angeles-based startup studio that develops, invests in, and acquires various businesses. Science Inc. invests money and offers expertise to bring companies to profitability.[1] In 2011, Michael Jones founded the company and is the current chief executive officer.[1] In its early stages, Science Inc. built various tech startups internally and offered support services to early-stage startups.[2] Jones spent time working with the companies’ CEOs and investors on strategy, growth and business development.[3][4]

Funding

Science Inc. initially received $10 million in backing from well-known investor Eric Schmidt’s Tomorrow Ventures.[5] In 2013, Science Inc. raised $30 million in funding from Hearst Ventures, the investment arm of media giant Hearst Corporation,[6] and was named to Fast Company’s list of The Most Innovative Companies. Science Inc. also recently raised $20 million in debt financing from Silver Lake Waterman.[7]

Notable affiliated companies

Dollar Shave Club

Dollar Shave Club launched with early investments and support from Science Inc.[8] Science Inc. was Dollar Shave Club’s first investor, before the startup raised a $1 million seed round in March 2012.[9][10][11][12][13] It was acquired by Unilever in 2016.[14]

DogVacay

Initial funding for the DogVacay was obtained from Science Inc.[15] DogVacay is a Santa Monica based company known for home dog boarding and other pet services.

HelloSociety

Science Inc. funded an incubated HelloSociety, a social media marketing and technology firm that consults on strategic partnerships with influencers and market analytics.[16] The company was purchased by The New York Times in March 2016.[17][18]

Other

Other startups that have come from Science Inc. include HomeHero, HelloSociety, FameBit, Delicious, Playhaven, Kyoku,[19] and Quarterly.[20][21][9] In 2016, FameBit was acquired by Google.[22]

In 2015, Science Inc. sold off its mobile advertising network PlayHaven to mobile game publisher RockYou.[23]

The company currently focuses on mobile entertainment for millennials, including the popular App Wishbone, which has more than 3.1 million monthly active users.[24]

References

  1. ^ a b Dave, Paresh. "'Start-up studio' Science helps entrepreneurs find a path to profitability". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  2. ^ "Mike Jones" Crunchbase, Updated November 16, 2015
  3. ^ Benjamin, Kuo. "Mike Jones On Science Inc.'s First Firms". SoCalTech. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  4. ^ "15 Questions with Mike Jones" CNN Money, May 13, 2015
  5. ^ Rao, Leena. "Mike Jones Launches Technology Studio, Science Inc., In LA With $10M From Eric Schmidt And Others". TechCrunch. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  6. ^ "Hearst Ventures Backs Science Studio With $30 Million Fund" Tech.Co, February 15th, 2015
  7. ^ "Startup studio Science Inc. raises $20 million from Silver Lake" Fortune, February 18th, 2015
  8. ^ Kozlowski, Lori. "Science, Dollar Shave Club, And Life". Forbes. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Science Incubator Turns Up the Heat With New Services" LA Business Journal, June 28, 2015
  10. ^ Glazer, Emily (2012-04-12). "A David and Gillette Story". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  11. ^ "Dollar Shave Club: A Start-Up's Viral Ad for 'F***ing Great' Razors Is a Big Hit". TIME.com. 2012-03-12. Retrieved 2012-03-19.
  12. ^ Colao, J.J. "Dollar Shave Club: Breaking The Razor Blade Monopoly". Forbes. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  13. ^ Jewish Daily Forward: "Jewish Buddies Who Founded Dollar Shave Club Cash In With $1B Unilever Deal" by Laura E. Adkins July 20, 2016
  14. ^ Fortune: "Unilever Buys Dollar Shave Club for $1 Billion" by Dan Primack July 19, 2016
  15. ^ O’Dell, Jolie (1 March 2012). "Just In Time For SXSW, Dog Vacay Will Help You Find A Home-Based Dog Sitter". Venture Beat. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
  16. ^ "Science Inc.-backed HelloInsights becomes HelloSociety, a Pinterest marketing agency for brands". Retrieved Oct 8, 2013.
  17. ^ "New York Times Buys HelloSociety, A Social Media Agency". labusinessjournal.com. 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  18. ^ Ha, Anthony. "The New York Times acquires influencer marketing agency HelloSociety". TechCrunch. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  19. ^ www.science-inc.com https://www.science-inc.com/portfolio.html. Retrieved 2020-02-14. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  20. ^ "Science Inc. to buy Social Bookmarking Site Delicious" Social Tech, May 8, 2014
  21. ^ "Science Inc. Acquires Mobile Ad Network PlayHaven From Upsight" TechCrunch, September 24, 2014
  22. ^ Wall Street Journal, "Google Acquires FameBit to Increase Branded Content Deals" October 11, 2016
  23. ^ Reim, Garrett. "Science Inc. Sells Off Mobile Ad Network PlayHaven". Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  24. ^ "With 3.1M monthly users on Wishbone, Science touts its success reaching the teen market" Venture Beat, September 30th, 2015
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