Flinn Scientific, Inc.

What Flinn Scientific, Inc. does

Flinn Scientific, Inc. is a family-owned, privately held supplier of science education supplies and laboratory equipment headquartered in Batavia, Illinois, founded in 1977 by Lawrence Flinn Jr. The company serves K-12 science educators (middle and high schools, including AP and advanced courses), as well as colleges, universities, museums, and science centers, supplying laboratory chemicals, glassware, plasticware, personal protective equipment, consumables, and curriculum-aligned AP lab kits for Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Environmental Science. Flinn also distributes Bio-Rad biotechnology kits under a channel partnership and operates the FlinnPREP online subscription platform for AP Chemistry preparation.

The company's proprietary technology stack is centered on safety-oriented product design and a digital content ecosystem rather than software development. Flinn pioneered teacher-formatted Safety Data Sheets, wooden chemical storage cabinets engineered for corrosion and fire resistance, and chemical compatibility-based storage systems. Digital assets include the FlinnPREP learning platform, free chemistry calculators, a lab design guide, and an online resource library of over 4,500 free educational materials. The company maintains multiple wholly-owned subsidiaries (Flinn Canada, SciMatCo, TeacherSource, PAVO, and Whitebox Learning) and a related brand portfolio.

Flinn's business model combines one-time physical product sales with subscription digital content. Products are priced individually (consumables $2.99–$58.99; lab kits $25.99–$149; the AP Chemistry Full-Year Kit Bundle at $999) and sold through e-commerce (flinnsci.com), phone orders, and a field sales force of 8 regional account managers covering all 50 states. Free shipping is offered on orders over $199, and verified School Accounts support institutional purchasing and budget management. FlinnPREP subscriptions ($46.99–$439.00 annually) provide recurring revenue. Recent strategic activity includes the 2017 acquisition of Whitebox Learning, a 2014 funding round from Windjammer Capital Investors, and the November 2025 appointment of Sarah Rasmusen as Chief Marketing Officer. Leadership comprises CEO Mac Gamse, COO Jonathan Dailey, CMO Sarah Rasmusen, and CFO Jim Hulslander.

Name

Flinn Scientific, Inc.

Legal name

Flinn Scientific Inc.

Website

https://flinnsci.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Flinn Scientific is a family-owned, privately held supplier of laboratory chemicals, glassware, safety equipment, and curriculum-aligned AP science lab kits serving K-12 science educators, colleges, and museums primarily in the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Education Laboratory Supplies

NAICS

Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Scientific & Laboratory Reference (Chemistry, Biology, Physics; Methods & Protocols) (EDAGAGAG), Competition Robotics Teams & Coaching (FLL/FTC/FRC, VEX) (EDAMADAE)

Keywords

• Science education supplies
• Laboratory equipment
• AP curriculum kits
• Lab safety supplies
• Educational chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Batavia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (Lab Supplies & Equipment): Flinn Scientific generates revenue through the sale of science laboratory supplies including chemicals, glassware, safety equipment, lab kits, and laboratory equipment to educational institutions. Products are sold individually or as complete kits (e.g., AP Chemistry Full-Year Kit Bundle at $999.00). The company offers free standard shipping on orders over $199.
2. Digital Content & Online Courses: Revenue from FlinnPREP online student preparation courses for AP Chemistry ($46.99-$439.00 for various plans), providing digital instructional content for a full year of curriculum support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Flinn Scientific is a science education supplier that sells laboratory chemicals, glassware, plasticware, personal protective equipment, and curriculum-aligned lab kits (AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Physics, AP Environmental Science) to K-12 schools, colleges, museums, and science centers. The company also distributes Bio-Rad biotechnology kits and offers FlinnPREP, an online AP Chemistry preparation course, alongside free safety resources such as teacher-formatted Safety Data Sheets and a lab design guide.

Product overview

Flinn Scientific, Inc. is a family-owned science education materials provider offering a comprehensive catalog of laboratory supplies, chemicals, equipment, and digital learning solutions for K-12 and higher education science classrooms. The company's product portfolio centers on AP Chemistry, AP Biology, AP Physics, and AP Environmental Science lab kits with inquiry-based investigations, complemented by laboratory chemicals (reagent and technical grades), glassware and plasticware, personal protective equipment, and consumable supplies. The company also offers digital platforms including FlinnPREP for AP Chemistry preparation and Whitebox Learning for STEM design challenges. A key differentiator is their extensive focus on lab safety, providing Safety Data Sheets (SDS), free safety resources, the Flinn Scientific Catalog/Reference Manual, lab design guides, and chemistry calculators. Products like POGIL activities and Bio-Rad biotechnology kits extend the curriculum-aligned offerings, while their Chemical Storage Cabinets and disposal guidance address the operational needs of science educators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FlinnPREP: Online student prep course for AP Chemistry and other subjects
• Whitebox Learning
• SciMatCo

Products and services

• AP Chemistry Lab Kits Comprehensive inquiry-based laboratory kits and classroom resources for AP Chemistry courses, covering topics including atomic structure, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, and electrochemistry. Designed for high school AP Chemistry teachers and students.
• AP Biology Lab Kits Laboratory kits and resources for AP Biology courses, supporting hands-on investigations in cellular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, biotechnology, molecular biology, and physiology. Targeted at high school AP Biology teachers and students.
• AP Physics Lab Kits Laboratory kits and equipment for Advanced Placement Physics courses covering mechanics, electricity, magnetism, and wave phenomena. Used by high school AP Physics teachers and students.
• AP Environmental Science Kits Lab kits and classroom resources for AP Environmental Science courses covering environmental systems, earth science, and ecological concepts. Used by high school AP Environmental Science teachers and students.
• Laboratory Chemicals (Reagent, Laboratory, and Technical Grades) Pure chemicals and reagents in reagent, laboratory, and technical grades including Hydrogen Peroxide, Potassium Iodide, Lithium Chloride, Sodium Acetate, and Ethyl Alcohol, supplied in small, clearly labeled containers with teacher-formatted Safety Data Sheets. Targeted at science classrooms and labs.
• Laboratory Glassware & Plasticware Borosilicate glassware, plastic lab supplies, burets, weighing dishes, petri dishes, and general glassware for educational laboratory settings. Targeted at science classrooms and labs.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & Lab Safety Supplies Safety goggles, nitrile gloves, rubberized aprons, and other personal protective equipment for science classrooms. Targeted at K-12 schools, colleges, and science centers.
• Consumable Laboratory Supplies Disposable lab supplies including weighing dishes, pH test strips, petri dishes, test papers, and other single-use laboratory consumables. Targeted at science classrooms and labs.
• FlinnPREP Online Student Prep Course Online student preparation course for AP Chemistry, providing digital instructional content to support a full year of curriculum support. Priced at $46.99–$439.00 depending on student enrollment vs. classroom license variant. Targeted at high school science teachers and students.
• Bio-Rad Biotechnology Kits (Distributed) Biotechnology kits distributed under partnership with Bio-Rad Laboratories, including pGLO Bacterial Transformation Kits, Cloning and Sequencing Explorer Series, Out of the Blue CRISPR Kit, and molecular biology/genetics education kits for AP Biology and general science classrooms.
• Whitebox Learning STEM Design Platform Digital STEM design challenge platform including solar-powered car kits and engineering simulation tools. Targeted at K-12 STEM teachers and students.
• STEM Design Challenge Kits Project-based engineering activity kits such as Solar-Powered Cars, providing hands-on STEM learning experiences. Targeted at K-12 STEM classrooms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trusted by thousands of science educators nationwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bio-Rad LaboratoriescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlinn Scientific distributes Bio-Rad biotechnology products including pGLO Bacterial Transformation Kits, Cloning and Sequencing Explorer Series, Out of the Blue CRISPR Kit, and other molecular biology and genetics education kits for AP Biology and general science classrooms. These products are sold alongside Flinn's own lab kits and supplies.
• Flinn CanadaminorOthersFlinn Canada is a related entity/subsidiary mentioned in the footer of flinnsci.com, serving the Canadian market for science education supplies.
• SciMatCominorOthersSciMatCo is a related entity mentioned on flinnsci.com. SciMatCo provides W-9 documentation alongside Flinn Scientific, indicating a related business operation.
• TeacherSourceminorOthersTeacherSource is a related entity/brand mentioned in the footer of flinnsci.com, likely serving as an additional sales channel for science education materials.
• PAVOminorOthersPAVO is a related entity mentioned in the footer of flinnsci.com, serving as an additional platform or brand for science education products.
• Whitebox LearningminorOthersWhitebox Learning is a related entity mentioned on flinnsci.com. It provides W-9 documentation alongside Flinn Scientific and has its own privacy policy. Whitebox Learning appears to be a STEM design challenge and engineering education platform.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Lab-Aids: Curriculum-aligned science kits and programs for middle and high schools; competes with Flinn's inquiry-based AP and general science kits at the district-adoption level.
• Ward's Science: Direct competitor supplying science education kits, specimens, chemicals, and lab equipment to K-12 schools and universities; both companies target AP science curricula with bundled lab kits and curriculum support.
• PASCO Scientific: Provider of physics, chemistry, and biology lab sensors, software, and curriculum kits for science education; competes with Flinn's AP Physics kits and STEM design offerings in school technology budgets.
• Edvotek: Specialist in biotechnology and molecular biology education kits for high schools and colleges; directly competes with Flinn's AP Biology biotech kits and Bio-Rad distributed product line.
• Carolina Biological Supply Company: One of the largest direct competitors to Flinn Scientific in the K-12 and college science education supply market, offering similar lab kits, chemicals, and curriculum-aligned resources. Closely comparable product portfolio, customer base (science teachers and schools), and distribution model.

Emerging players

• eScience Labs: Provider of hands-on and virtual science lab kits for high schools and colleges; overlaps with Flinn's lab kit offering while extending into online learning modalities that compete with FlinnPREP.
• Science Interactive Group: Provider of online and hybrid science lab solutions for higher education; competes with Flinn's digital learning extensions and represents the substitution risk for physical lab kits.

Broad incumbents

• VWR International (Avantor): Broad laboratory supplies distributor with overlapping chemicals, glassware, and equipment SKUs that compete with Flinn for college and university purchasing; less specialized for K-12 but influential in higher-ed accounts.
• Bio-Rad Laboratories: Existing Flinn distribution partner and broader life-science research tools provider; sells biotechnology education kits (pGLO, CRISPR) that Flinn distributes, making it both a partner and an indirect competitor in molecular biology education.
• Fisher Scientific (Thermo Fisher): Broad incumbent laboratory supplies distributor serving research, clinical, and educational markets; while not education-specialized, it overlaps with Flinn's higher-education chemistry and biology product lines and competes for institutional purchasing budgets.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flinnscientific
• Facebookfacebook.com/flinnscientific
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flinn-scientific

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Flinn Scientific, Inc.