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Science Inc.
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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]
Key Information
Funding
[edit]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
[edit]Dollar Shave Club
[edit]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
[edit]Initial funding for DogVacay was obtained from Science Inc.[14] DogVacay is a Santa Monica-based company known for home dog boarding and other pet services.
HelloSociety
[edit]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 and Mowz
[edit]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
[edit]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 2015, Science Inc. sold off its mobile advertising network PlayHaven to mobile game publisher RockYou.[23] In 2016, FameBit was acquired by Google.[24]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Dave, Paresh (July 30, 2015). "'Start-up studio' Science helps entrepreneurs find a path to profitability". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Benjamin, Kuo. "Mike Jones On Science Inc.'s First Firms". SoCalTech. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ "15 Questions with Mike Jones" CNN Money, May 13, 2015
- ^ Rao, Leena. "Mike Jones Launches Technology Studio, Science Inc., In LA With $10M From Eric Schmidt And Others". TechCrunch. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ "Hearst Ventures Backs Science Studio With $30 Million Fund" Tech.Co, February 15, 2015
- ^ "Startup studio Science Inc. raises $20 million from Silver Lake" Fortune, February 18, 2015
- ^ Kozlowski, Lori. "Science, Dollar Shave Club, And Life". Forbes. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ a b "Science Incubator Turns Up the Heat With New Services" LA Business Journal, June 28, 2015
- ^ Glazer, Emily (April 12, 2012). "A David and Gillette Story". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
- ^ "Dollar Shave Club: A Start-Up's Viral Ad for 'F***ing Great' Razors Is a Big Hit". Time. March 12, 2012. Retrieved March 19, 2012.
- ^ Colao, J.J. "Dollar Shave Club: Breaking The Razor Blade Monopoly". Forbes. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
- ^ Jewish Daily Forward: "Jewish Buddies Who Founded Dollar Shave Club Cash In With $1B Unilever Deal" by Laura E. Adkins July 20, 2016
- ^ Fortune: "Unilever Buys Dollar Shave Club for $1 Billion" by Dan Primack July 19, 2016
- ^ O’Dell, Jolie (March 1, 2012). "Just In Time For SXSW, Dog Vacay Will Help You Find A Home-Based Dog Sitter". Venture Beat. Retrieved March 20, 2013.
- ^ "Science Inc.-backed HelloInsights becomes HelloSociety, a Pinterest marketing agency for brands". April 2, 2013. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ "New York Times Buys HelloSociety, A Social Media Agency". labusinessjournal.com. March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- ^ Ha, Anthony. "The New York Times acquires influencer marketing agency HelloSociety". TechCrunch. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Plowz and Mowz raise $1.5 million from LA-based Science for on-demand landscaping services". TechCrunch. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ "Science Inc. to buy Social Bookmarking Site Delicious" Social Tech, May 8, 2014
- ^ "Science Inc. Acquires Mobile Ad Network PlayHaven From Upsight" TechCrunch, September 24, 2014
- ^ "Science". www.science-inc.com. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
- ^ "With 3.1M monthly users on Wishbone, Science touts its success reaching the teen market" Venture Beat, September 30, 2015
- ^ Reim, Garrett (May 7, 2015). "Science Inc. Sells Off Mobile Ad Network PlayHaven". Los Angeles Business Journal. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Wall Street Journal, "Google Acquires FameBit to Increase Branded Content Deals" October 11, 2016