Science Inc.

Science Inc. is a Los Angeles-based startup studio and investment firm founded by Michael Jones in 2011. Rather than operating primarily as a conventional venture-capital fund, the company combines investment with hands-on company building, strategic advice, growth support, and business-development expertise. Its stated objective is to help digital and technology businesses develop toward profitability, using a model in which Science can participate in the creation and early development of startups as well as provide capital to outside companies. The company was established during a period when startup studios were becoming more prominent in the technology sector. Its operating approach brought together entrepreneurs, executives, and investors around company strategy, product development, growth, and commercial expansion. Michael Jones, who founded Science Inc., served as its chief executive and worked with the organization's executives and investors on strategy, growth, and business development. Science initially received $10 million in backing from Tomorrow Ventures, the investment firm associated with Eric Schmidt. In 2013, it raised a further $30 million from Hearst Ventures, the investment arm of Hearst Corporation. That financing helped establish Science as a visible participant in the startup-studio and technology-investment ecosystem, and the company was included in Fast Company's list of the most innovative companies that year. In 2015, Science obtained $20 million in debt financing from Silver Lake Waterman. These transactions provided capital for continued investment and company-building activity, although the available reference material does not establish the company's present capitalization or financial performance. Science's affiliated and incubated businesses have operated across consumer internet, digital media, marketing technology, mobile advertising, home services, pet care, and creator commerce. The best-known example is Dollar Shave Club, for which Science was the first investor and provided early support before the company raised a $1 million seed round in March 2012. Dollar Shave Club was later acquired by Unilever in 2016. Science also supplied initial funding for DogVacay, a Santa Monica-based marketplace for home dog boarding and related pet services. Other businesses connected with Science include HelloSociety, a social-media marketing and technology company focused on influencer partnerships and market analytics. The New York Times acquired HelloSociety in March 2016. Science was also among the first investors in Plowz & Mowz, a marketplace that connected consumers with freelance providers of snow removal, lawn mowing, and other outdoor home services. Additional startups associated with the studio included HomeHero, FameBit, Hello.Me, Stunner Inc., Delicious, PlayHaven, Kyoku, Wishbone, and Quarterly. FameBit was acquired by Google in 2016, while Science sold its mobile advertising network PlayHaven to mobile-game publisher RockYou in 2015. Science Inc.'s brand identity is therefore associated less with a consumer-facing product line than with venture creation and operational support. Its portfolio illustrates a strategy of backing businesses at early stages and helping them reach later financing, acquisition, or independent operating milestones. The available reference material does not specify a current portfolio, a corporate website, a change in ownership, or a successor organization; consequently, details about its present activities should be treated as requiring further verification.

Science Inc. was founded in Los Angeles in 2011 by Michael Jones as a startup studio and investment organization. Its model combined the functions of an early-stage investor, operating adviser, and company builder. The organization sought to create and support technology businesses while providing expertise in strategy, growth, and business development. Jones worked with Science's executives and investors in those areas and served as the company's chief executive. The studio's initial backing included $10 million from Tomorrow Ventures, the investment firm associated with Eric Schmidt. This early support gave Science capital to pursue investments and incubate new businesses. In 2013, Science raised $30 million from Hearst Ventures, the investment arm of Hearst Corporation. The financing coincided with increased public attention to the startup-studio model, and Science was named to Fast Company's list of the most innovative companies. Science's activity during this period extended across several parts of the digital economy. It was the first investor in Dollar Shave Club and provided early support before the company raised a $1 million seed round in March 2012. Dollar Shave Club developed a subscription-oriented consumer-goods business and was eventually acquired by Unilever in 2016. Science also supplied initial funding for DogVacay, a Santa Monica-based company offering home dog boarding and related pet services. The company incubated HelloSociety, which operated in social-media marketing and technology. HelloSociety focused on strategic partnerships with influencers and market analytics and was acquired by The New York Times in March 2016. Science also became one of the first investors in Plowz & Mowz in 2016. The service began as a marketplace for residential snow plowing and later broadened into lawn mowing and other outdoor home services provided through freelance workers. Other businesses connected with Science included HomeHero, FameBit, Hello.Me, Stunner Inc., Delicious, PlayHaven, Kyoku, Wishbone, and Quarterly. PlayHaven was a mobile advertising network that Science sold to mobile-game publisher RockYou in 2015. FameBit was acquired by Google in 2016. These transactions demonstrated the range of outcomes associated with Science's portfolio, including sales to larger technology, media, and consumer companies. In 2015, Science obtained $20 million in debt financing from Silver Lake Waterman. The available reference material does not provide terms for the debt, subsequent fundraising, financial results, current portfolio composition, or a detailed account of the studio's operations after the reported 2016 transactions. It also does not identify a parent company, public listing, or corporate website. Science Inc. is therefore best characterized from the available evidence as a privately held startup studio and investment platform whose historical role was to combine early capital with practical support for technology startups.

• 2016

  HelloSociety is acquired by The New York Times

  [1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  The New York Times purchased HelloSociety, a social-media marketing and technology company incubated by Science Inc.

• 2016

  Science invests in Plowz & Mowz

  [1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Science Inc. became one of the first investors in Plowz & Mowz, a marketplace for snow removal, lawn care, and other outdoor home services.

• 2016

  Dollar Shave Club is acquired by Unilever

  [1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Unilever acquired Dollar Shave Club, an early Science Inc. investment and portfolio company.

• 2016

  FameBit is acquired by Google

  [1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Google acquired FameBit, a startup associated with Science Inc.

• 2015

  Silver Lake Waterman debt financing

  [1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Science Inc. raised $20 million in debt financing from Silver Lake Waterman.

• 2015

  PlayHaven is sold to RockYou

  [1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Science Inc. sold its mobile advertising network PlayHaven to mobile-game publisher RockYou.

• 2013

  Hearst Ventures financing

  [1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Science Inc. raised $30 million from Hearst Ventures and was included in Fast Company's list of the most innovative companies.

• 2012

  Dollar Shave Club raises its seed round

  [1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Dollar Shave Club, Science Inc.'s first investment, raised a $1 million seed round in March 2012 after receiving early support from Science.

• 2011

  Science Inc. is founded

  [1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Michael Jones founded Science Inc. in Los Angeles as a startup studio and investment organization.

• 2011

  Initial backing from Tomorrow Ventures

  [1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Science Inc. initially received $10 million in backing from Tomorrow Ventures, the investment firm associated with Eric Schmidt.

A hands-on startup studio and technology investment platform that combines capital with company-building, strategic, growth, and business-development support.

• Startup studio services · 2011

  Startup incubation and company building

  Science Inc.'s central offering was the creation and development of technology companies. The studio combined capital with practical support in strategy, growth, business development, and related operating functions. Its work could involve incubating companies internally or supporting businesses in which it invested. The available reference material does not define a standardized service package or current product catalog.

• Investment · 2011

  Early-stage technology investment

  Science Inc. invested in and helped develop early-stage businesses in consumer internet, digital media, marketing technology, mobile advertising, home services, pet care, and creator-related commerce. Its investment activity included Dollar Shave Club, DogVacay, Plowz & Mowz, and other startups associated with the studio.

• Mobile advertising

  PlayHaven

  PlayHaven was a mobile advertising network associated with Science Inc. It formed part of the studio's portfolio before being sold to mobile-game publisher RockYou in 2015. The available material does not provide further detail on its products, technology, or operations.

• Social-media marketing technology

  HelloSociety

  HelloSociety was an incubated social-media marketing and technology company. It advised on strategic partnerships with influencers and used market analytics in its work. The New York Times purchased the company in March 2016.

• Consumer subscription commerce

  Dollar Shave Club

  Dollar Shave Club was the first investment made by Science Inc., which also provided early support before the startup's $1 million seed round in March 2012. The company later became a notable direct-to-consumer business and was acquired by Unilever in 2016.

• 2016

  Invest in Plowz & MowzM&A

  Background

  Plowz & Mowz was developing a marketplace connecting consumers with freelance providers of residential outdoor services.

  Action taken

  Science Inc. became one of the company's first investors.

  Aftermath

  The service expanded beyond residential snow plowing into lawn mowing and more than a dozen other outdoor home services, according to the reference material.

  Source

• 2016

  Support the sale of Dollar Shave Club to UnileverM&A

  Background

  Dollar Shave Club was Science Inc.'s first investment and had received early support from the studio.

  Action taken

  Unilever acquired Dollar Shave Club.

  Aftermath

  Dollar Shave Club became part of Unilever. The acquisition value is not included in the available reference material.

  Source

• 2015

  Use debt financing to support the studioOther

  Background

  Science Inc. sought additional capital for its investment and company-building activities.

  Action taken

  The company raised $20 million in debt financing from Silver Lake Waterman.

  Aftermath

  The available reference does not state how the financing was deployed or provide subsequent financial results.

  Debt financing raised. $20 million raised (2015)

  Source

• 2015

  Sell PlayHaven to RockYouM&A

  Background

  PlayHaven operated as a mobile advertising network within Science Inc.'s group of affiliated businesses.

  Action taken

  Science Inc. sold PlayHaven to mobile-game publisher RockYou.

  Aftermath

  PlayHaven left Science Inc.'s portfolio. The transaction value and detailed terms are not provided.

  Source

• 2013

  Raise growth capital from Hearst VenturesOther

  Background

  Science Inc. was expanding its startup-studio and investment activities and obtained financing from Hearst Ventures.

  Action taken

  The company raised $30 million from Hearst Ventures, the investment arm of Hearst Corporation.

  Aftermath

  The financing coincided with public recognition of Science Inc. as an innovative company and supported its continuing portfolio activity. Later operating results are not specified in the available material.

  Financing raised. $30 million raised (2013)

  Source

• 2016

  The New York Times acquires HelloSociety[1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  HelloSociety, a Science-incubated social-media marketing and technology company, was purchased by The New York Times.

• 2016

  Unilever acquires Dollar Shave Club[1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Unilever acquired Dollar Shave Club, which had received early investment and support from Science Inc. and counted Science as its first investor.

• 2016

  Google acquires FameBit[1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  FameBit, a startup associated with Science Inc., was acquired by Google.

• 2015

  Science Inc. secures $20 million in debt financing[1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Science Inc. raised $20 million in debt financing from Silver Lake Waterman.

• 2015

  Science Inc. sells PlayHaven to RockYou[1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Science Inc. sold its mobile advertising network PlayHaven to mobile-game publisher RockYou.

• 2013

  Science Inc. raises $30 million from Hearst Ventures[1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Science Inc. raised $30 million from Hearst Ventures, the investment arm of Hearst Corporation, as it expanded its startup-studio and investment activities.

• 2013

  Science Inc. recognized by Fast Company among innovative companies[1]Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Science Inc. was included on Fast Company's list of the most innovative companies during the period in which it was expanding its startup-building and investment model.

1. 1Science Inc.en.wikipedia.org