MEL Science
MEL Science is a UK-founded subscription EdTech company (founded 2015) that delivers monthly hands-on science kits combined with VR/AR digital experiences to families with children aged 5-14+ across 50+ countries, operating through a D2C website and education marketplace channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MEL Science does
MEL Science Ltd. is a UK-based educational technology company founded in 2015 that operates a subscription-based science learning platform combining physical hands-on experiment kits delivered monthly to subscribers' homes with immersive digital experiences including VR, AR, and interactive mobile applications. Its product portfolio spans MEL Chemistry (the flagship, with 100+ kits and VR molecular exploration for ages 10+), MEL Physics (ages 8+), MEL Math (launched 2022), MEL Med (medical education for teens 14+, launched 2021 as the claimed world's first medical subscription box), MEL Kids STEM (ages 5+), and the 2022-acquired Curiosity Box subscription brand. Supporting apps include MEL Science, CuriosityQ, MEL VR Science Simulations, and MEL STEM.
The company generates revenue primarily through a direct-to-consumer monthly subscription model starting at $29.90/month (with annual plans priced as 12 months for the price of 8), supplemented by B2B bulk sales to schools through education marketplace platforms (ClassWallet, Indiana ESA, Ohio ACE, and others) and gift subscriptions. Go-to-market is product-led with self-serve sign-up via melscience.com, distribution in 50+ countries, and a 3M+ social media following built around science-communication content including a single video reaching 100M views. Underlying technology pairs physical chemistry kits with VR/AR modules, video-led mobile app instructions, and computer-vision-based molecular visualization, with payment processing handled by Stripe.
Operationally, MEL Science has raised approximately $26.7M across four disclosed funding rounds (Series A 2016 through Series B 2020), employs 101-250 staff, and operates as a private limited company registered in England and Wales. Leadership combines PhD-level scientific founders with consumer-scale marketing operators, including a Chief Innovation Officer (Michael Stevens, founder of Vsauce and Curiosity Box) whose personal 20M+ social following functions as an integrated marketing channel. The business model is recurring subscription with low contractual lock-in (pause or cancel anytime), relying on content depth, brand recognition, and the integrated physical-plus-digital experience as primary differentiation.
MEL Science firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MEL Science
- Legal name
- MEL Science Ltd.
- Website
- https://melscience.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- MEL Science is a UK-founded subscription EdTech company (founded 2015) that delivers monthly hands-on science kits combined with VR/AR digital experiences to families with children aged 5-14+ across 50+ countries, operating through a D2C website and education marketplace channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MEL Science industry classification
Industry- Product category
- STEM Education Subscription
- NAICS
- Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (45912), Software Publishers (5132)
- SIC
- Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles (No Dolls & Bicycles) (3944)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs) (EDAMABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Chemistry Enrichment Programs (EDAMABAG), Lab & Science Virtual Labs (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) (EDAFAJAE), STEM & Lab Simulation Media (Virtual Labs, AR/VR) (EDAGALAF)
Keywords
Where MEL Science is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
MEL Science business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Subscription Boxes: Monthly subscription service delivering hands-on science experiment kits to subscribers' homes, with digital experiences included. Subscribers can choose subjects and mix-and-match kits. Annual plans offer 12 months for the price of 8.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard Monthly Subscription |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Subscription |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
MEL Science product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MEL Science delivers a monthly subscription that combines 100+ hands-on science experiment kits with 50+ immersive digital experiences, including VR lessons, AR overlays, and an interactive mobile app. Subscribers choose subjects (STEM, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine) tailored for children ages 5-14+, with kits delivered monthly and digital content available anytime.
Product overview
MEL Science is an educational subscription platform offering a portfolio of hands-on science experiment kits combined with immersive digital experiences including AR and VR. The core products include MEL Chemistry (100+ experiment kits), MEL Physics, MEL Math, MEL Med (medical education), and MEL Kids (STEM for ages 5+), with the 2022-acquired Curiosity Box brand. Digital companions include the core MEL Science app, CuriosityQ, MEL VR Science Simulations, and MEL STEM: Science for Kids mobile applications. All products are unified under a single subscription model delivering monthly physical kits plus anytime-accessible digital experiences.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MEL Chemistry: Chemistry experiment subscription kits with VR and AR experiences for children aged 10+
- MEL Physics
- MEL Math
- MEL Med
- MEL Kids (STEM)
- Curiosity Box
- MEL Science: a science lab app
- CuriosityQ: science and DIY
- MEL VR Science Simulations
- MEL STEM: Science for Kids
Products and services
- MEL Chemistry
- MEL Physics
- MEL Math
- MEL Med
- MEL Kids (STEM)
- Curiosity Box
- MEL Science Mobile App
- CuriosityQ: Science and DIY
- MEL VR Science Simulations
Companies that use MEL Science
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
MEL Science technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature4 records
MEL Science partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)coreMEL Science participated in groundbreaking research orchestrated by NJIT to unravel educational implications of VR within school environments. The study found that students engaged with VR achieved elevated scores in final examinations and overall class grades, and VR integration significantly alleviated chemistry contextualization challenges.
- ClassWalletminorEducation marketplace platform through which schools can purchase MEL Science subscriptions for classroom use.
- Indiana ESAminorEducation marketplace platform available for Indiana schools to purchase MEL Science products.
- Step UpminorEducation marketplace platform for school bulk orders of MEL Science products.
- OdysseyminorEducation marketplace platform available for school purchases of MEL Science subscriptions.
- Ohio ACEminorEducation marketplace platform for Ohio schools to access MEL Science products.
- SEALminorEducation marketplace platform for school bulk orders.
- AZDEminorEducation marketplace platform for Arizona schools.
- ARDEminorEducation marketplace platform for Arkansas schools.
- PDSESminorEducation marketplace platform for school purchases of MEL Science.
- Children FirstminorEducation marketplace platform for children's educational products.
- UEFAminorEducation marketplace platform available for school purchases.
- StripecoreThird-party payment system used to process payment information and execute transactions securely. MEL Science does not store or process any payment data on their servers.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MEL Science competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Little Passports: Subscription boxes for kids focused on geography and science, sold primarily to parents on monthly/annual plans. Comparable direct-to-consumer subscription model with a hands-on activity-led value proposition.
- Labster: Virtual science labs and simulations for K-12 and higher education, with immersive 3D experiences. Comparable VR/simulation-led science learning value proposition, though primarily institutional rather than consumer-led.
- KiwiCo: Subscription science and STEM activity boxes for kids across multiple age ranges (especially Kiwi Crate, Tinker Crate). Most direct competitor given identical subscription-based, parent-D2C go-to-market and overlapping STEM subject coverage.
- Steve Spangler Science: Hands-on science experiment kits and supplies for kids and classrooms, with both D2C and educational channels. Comparable kit-based chemistry and physics product range targeting parents and schools.
- Green Kid Crafts: Subscription boxes for kids with STEAM activities including science experiments. Closely comparable parent-D2C subscription model with hands-on activity-led STEM positioning.
Emerging players
- Bitsbox: Coding subscription box teaching kids to code via monthly projects shipped to homes. Comparable subscription model and STEM enrichment positioning, though focused on coding rather than physical science experiments.
- Outschool: Marketplace for live online classes including science and STEM enrichment for kids. Comparable parent-paid enrichment subscription/use, though delivered via live classes rather than physical kits.
Broad incumbents
- National Geographic Kids: Established science education brand with subscription magazines, books, and kits for children. Comparable science-education content brand equity but broader portfolio and different distribution mechanics.
- LEGO Education: STEM learning kits, robotics, and classroom solutions for schools and parents. Comparable hands-on STEM learning kits, though anchored in construction toys rather than chemistry/physics experiments.
- Khan Academy Kids: Free digital science and STEM educational platform for young children. Comparable age range and science subject coverage, but free and digital-only — competes for parent attention and budget.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MEL Science social profiles
Digital presenceMEL Science financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MEL Science leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
MEL Science subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
MEL Science funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors8 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MEL Science M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MEL Science
What does MEL Science do?
MEL Science delivers a monthly subscription that combines 100+ hands-on science experiment kits with 50+ immersive digital experiences, including VR lessons, AR overlays, and an interactive mobile app. Subscribers choose subjects (STEM, Math, Physics, Chemistry, Medicine) tailored for children ages 5-14+, with kits delivered monthly and digital content available anytime.
Is MEL Science a public or private company?
MEL Science is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was MEL Science founded?
MEL Science was founded in 2015. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is MEL Science based?
MEL Science is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does MEL Science make money?
One revenue line is on record: subscription Boxes.
Who are MEL Science's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Little Passports, Labster, KiwiCo, Steve Spangler Science and Green Kid Crafts. Emerging players are Bitsbox and Outschool. Broad incumbents are National Geographic Kids, LEGO Education and Khan Academy Kids.
Does MEL Science have an API?
No public API is recorded for MEL Science.
What industry is MEL Science in?
MEL Science's product category is STEM Education Subscription. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAMABAA, Hands-on Science Exploration & Experiments (Lab Kits, Science Clubs), with a secondary code of EDAMABAG, Chemistry Enrichment Programs. Its NAICS code is 45912 and its SIC code is 3944.