# Mystery Science

Startup profile on Capital Atlas: https://capitalatlas.ai/startups/mystery-science

- Industry: Education/Training
- Headquarters: San Francisco, US
- Website: www.mysteryscience.com
- Total disclosed funding: $2.8M
- Latest round: Seed (Jun 28, 2017)
- Investors on record: 5

## About

Mystery Science, Inc. provides a comprehensive, interactive science curriculum for elementary education, facilitating hands-on learning experiences aligned with educational standards. Their offerings engage both teachers and students in meaningful scientific inquiry.Founded in 2014 and headquartered in San Francisco, US, Mystery Science, Inc. specializes in elementary science education. Doug Peltz, the founder, has focused on creating a curriculum that serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. In October 2020, the company was acquired by Discovery Education, Inc., which will integrate its offerings into a broader suite of digital educational services. The company has attracted a total of USD 2.00 mn in funding primarily through a SEED round led by investors including 500 Global, Learn Capital, Reach Capital, and Y Combinator.Mystery Science offers an innovative, standards-aligned curriculum specifically designed for elementary education, primarily focusing on science instruction. The core product is a comprehensive suite of over 200 interactive lessons and activities that engage students in hands-on, phenomenon-driven learning experiences. These lessons cater to students from kindergarten through fifth grade and are accessible in both English and Spanish, facilitating inclusivity for bilingual classrooms. The curriculum addresses key educational standards across various geographical markets, including the United States and international schools looking to enhance their science education offerings. The end users include elementary teachers, students, and educational institutions seeking to foster a love for science through engaging content that encourages critical thinking and exploration.Mystery Science generates revenue primarily through subscription-based models directed at schools and educational institutions. Clients typically enter into agreements for annual subscriptions, granting access to the entire library of lessons and resources. This transactional structure allows for scalability as schools may purchase licenses for multiple classrooms or entire districts. The company provides a free trial period, encouraging potential customers to experience the product before committing to a purchase. Pricing plans are structured to accommodate various levels of access, enabling educators to select options best suited to their needs. The flagship offerings revolve around their interactive science lessons, which are designed to align with educational standards, ensuring their value proposition resonates with teachers and administrators alike.Following the acquisition by Discovery Education, Inc., Mystery Science plans to enhance its curriculum offerings while leveraging the resources of its parent company. The integration aims to keep students and teachers connected to curiosity, complementing other successful digital services like Discovery Education Experience and the Science Tech book series. This strategic move will likely focus on developing new products that align with current educational needs, although specific product launches have yet to be detailed. Additionally, plans may include expanding into new markets, targeting schools both nationally and internationally, to broaden their reach and impact on science education.

## Funding rounds

- Seed, Jun 28, 2017, $2M — 500 Global, Y Combinator, Learn Capital, Reach Capital
- Seed, Apr 28, 2014, $0.8M — 500 Global, NewSchools Venture Fund, Learn Capital

## Investors

- 500 Global (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/500-global) — Seed
- NewSchools Venture Fund (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/newschools-venture-fund) — Seed
- Learn Capital (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/learn-capital) — Seed
- Y Combinator (https://capitalatlas.ai/funds/y-combinator) — Seed
- Reach Capital — Seed