Science Inc.

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. 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. "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. 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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