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. 1 2 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. 1 2 "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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