Founder, Managing Director, Science Inc.
Jones is the co-founder and managing director of Science Inc., a Santa Monica-based venture capital firm and incubator that focuses on direct-to-consumer services and marketplaces. Since its founding in 2011, its portfolio boasts $1.3 billion in exits, including Dollar Shave Club Inc. Jones previously founded Userplane, an instant-messaging firm that was acquired by AOL in 2006. In 2005, he began angel investing, primarily in Los Angeles. In 2010, he was hired as chief executive of Myspace, where he was tasked with the company’s relaunch, then sold the business the next year.
What’s the best advice you ever got?
I have received a lot of advice and it’s hard to anoint just one as the best, but this recent piece of advice from a friend sticks with me: “Certain work is worth $50 per hour, while other work is worth $100,000 per hour. Make sure you’re choosing what you focus on properly.” This concept they raised of time scarcity, along with looking for big impact and big opportunities, raises important questions about how choices are a tradeoff. I know that I want big experiences, big memories, larger outcomes and larger projects. I’m not afraid of hard work, but I am afraid of losing time. So, I try to focus my time on the largest impact possible.
What’s your favorite movie, all time and in any category?
I love “Interstellar,” “Inception” and “Primer.” I love complex plots and films that require a few views to truly understand what happened.
What’s at the top of your bucket list?
I am always on the lookout for incredible experiences – the types of adventures that are truly once in a lifetime or just bring a thrill to the day-to-day, week-to-week grind. I seek them out and I am happy to invest in them because they also create these lasting memories that have value long after the moment has passed. I get to indulge in those experiences again and again.
What was your first car?
Blue Jeep Cherokee which, ironically, I think is the exact car my son currently wants.
Would you like to have it back?
No, but my son would.
YEARS ON LA500: 5
