Science Inc.

Science Inc. is a Los Angeles-based startup studio that invests and offers expertise in corporations, in an attempt to bring them to profitability.[1] In 2011, Michael Jones founded the organization and is the current chief executive officer.[1] Jones spent time serving with the company's Chief Executive Officers and investors on strategy, growth, and business development.[2][3]

Funding

Science Inc. initially received $10 million in backing from Eric Schmidt’s Tomorrow Ventures.[4] In 2013, Science Inc. raised $30 million in funding from Hearst Ventures, the investment arm of Hearst Corporation,[5] and was named to Fast Company’s list of The Most Innovative Companies. In 2015 Science Inc. raised $20 million in debt financing from Silver Lake Waterman.[6]

Notable affiliated companies

Dollar Shave Club

Dollar Shave Club launched with early investments and support from Science Inc.[7] Science Inc. was Dollar Shave Club’s first investor, before the startup raised a $1 million seed round in March 2012.[8][9][10][11][12] It was acquired by Unilever in 2016.[13]

DogVacay

Initial funding for the DogVacay was obtained from Science Inc.[14] 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.[15] The company was purchased by The New York Times in March 2016.[16][17]

Plowz & Mowz

In 2016, Science Inc. became one of the first investors in Plowz & Mowz, a gig-marketplace website and app that connects consumers with freelance landscapers. The company began by offering residential snow plowing services and has since expanded its scope to lawn mowing and over a dozen other outdoor home services.[18]

Other

Other startups that have come from Science Inc. include HomeHero, FameBit, Hello.Me, Stunner Inc., Delicious,[19] Playhaven,[20] Kyoku,[21] Wishbone,[22] and Quarterly.[8] In the year 2016, FameBit was acquired by Google.[23]

In 2015, Science Inc. sold off its mobile advertising network PlayHaven to mobile game publisher RockYou.[24]s.

References
  1. Dave, Paresh (30 July 2015). "'Start-up studio' Science helps entrepreneurs find a path to profitability". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  2. Benjamin, Kuo. "Mike Jones On Science Inc.'s First Firms". SoCalTech. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  3. "15 Questions with Mike Jones" CNN Money, May 13, 2015
  4. Rao, Leena. "Mike Jones Launches Technology Studio, Science Inc., In LA With $10M From Eric Schmidt And Others". TechCrunch. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  5. "Hearst Ventures Backs Science Studio With $30 Million Fund" Tech.Co, February 15th, 2015
  6. "Startup studio Science Inc. raises $20 million from Silver Lake" Fortune, February 18th, 2015
  7. Kozlowski, Lori. "Science, Dollar Shave Club, And Life". Forbes. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  8. "Science Incubator Turns Up the Heat With New Services" LA Business Journal, June 28, 2015
  9. Glazer, Emily (2012-04-12). "A David and Gillette Story". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  10. "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.
  11. Colao, J.J. "Dollar Shave Club: Breaking The Razor Blade Monopoly". Forbes. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  12. Jewish Daily Forward: "Jewish Buddies Who Founded Dollar Shave Club Cash In With $1B Unilever Deal" by Laura E. Adkins July 20, 2016
  13. Fortune: "Unilever Buys Dollar Shave Club for $1 Billion" by Dan Primack July 19, 2016
  14. 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.
  15. "Science Inc.-backed HelloInsights becomes HelloSociety, a Pinterest marketing agency for brands". 2 April 2013. Retrieved Oct 8, 2013.
  16. "New York Times Buys HelloSociety, A Social Media Agency". labusinessjournal.com. 2016-03-11. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  17. Ha, Anthony. "The New York Times acquires influencer marketing agency HelloSociety". TechCrunch. Retrieved 27 August 2016.
  18. "Plowz and Mowz raise $1.5 million from LA-based Science for on-demand landscaping services". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
  19. "Science Inc. to buy Social Bookmarking Site Delicious" Social Tech, May 8, 2014
  20. "Science Inc. Acquires Mobile Ad Network PlayHaven From Upsight" TechCrunch, September 24, 2014
  21. "Science". www.science-inc.com. Retrieved 2020-02-14.
  22. "With 3.1M monthly users on Wishbone, Science touts its success reaching the teen market" Venture Beat, September 30th, 2015
  23. Wall Street Journal, "Google Acquires FameBit to Increase Branded Content Deals" October 11, 2016
  24. Reim, Garrett (7 May 2015). "Science Inc. Sells Off Mobile Ad Network PlayHaven". Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
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