Mike Jones

Managing Partner

Science Inc.

THE LATEST: One of Science Inc.'s incubated startups, PlayVS, in September secured $50 million in Series C funding to continue its mission to establish esports programs at high schools across the country. Earlier this year, the Santa Monica-based startup announced that Riot Games Inc. would become the exclusive organizer of PlayVS&s seasons and championships for "League of Legends," one of the world's most popular massively multiplayer games. Another Science investment, Pray.com, has experienced a surge for its remote churchgoing app after the Covid-19 pandemic emerged.

BACKGROUND: A longtime entrepreneur and adviser whose work with startups has enabled more than $2 billion in exits, Jones is co-founder and chief executive of Science Inc., an L.A.-based incubator and venture fund that invests in disruptive technology companies. Some of Science&s best-known exits include Dollar Shave Club, which was acquired by Unilever; Famebit, which was acquired by Google; and Hello Society, which was acquired by the New York Times. Before founding Science Inc. in 2011, Jones was chief executive of several companies, including MySpace, Tsavo, PBJ Digital and Userplane, which in 2006 was acquired by AOL.

YEARS ON THE LA500: 1

Return to the 2020 edition of the LA500.

Reader Poll

READER POLL: Are you satisfied with the diversity of your company’s workforce?

Reader Poll

READER POLL: Are you satisfied with the diversity of your company’s workforce?