What Science4you does

Science4you S.A. is a Portuguese-headquartered (Porto, with operations in Loures) designer, manufacturer, and seller of educational and scientific toys for children aged 0-16. Founded in January 2008 by Miguel Pina Martins in partnership with the Faculty of Sciences of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCUL), the company develops its products under a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) methodology, with co-development claimed alongside Oxford University scientists. The catalog comprises over 100 SKUs spanning science kits (physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy, ecology), tech toys (robotics, drones, smart microscopes, projector lanterns), and handicraft/creative kits (slime, soap/perfume labs, play dough, temporary tattoos, puzzles, Montessori-style kits). Each kit pairs physical experiment materials with a multilingual online educational manual (available in up to 7 languages and accessible via QR code), and is supported by the proprietary "Brain Activator" skill-development framework labeling cognitive, motor, emotional, and social outcomes.

The company operates a multi-channel go-to-market model combining direct-to-consumer e-commerce through its own localized storefronts (Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, US), global Amazon marketplace listings, and physical retail distribution through major toy and mass-market chains (Tesco, Carrefour, Aldi, Toys R Us, Jumbo, King Jouet) across 45+ countries. Products are sold on a one-time unit-purchase basis, with prices ranging from approximately €4.99 for entry-level play dough kits to €99.99 for premium items such as microscopes, with no subscription model detected. Science4you holds GDPR compliance and European toy safety certifications, and has accumulated multiple industry awards between 2011 and 2020, including the European Business Awards Chairman's Selection, Toy of the Year, and a Portuguese Order of Business Merit from the Presidency of the Republic. The leadership team is anchored by founder Miguel Pina Martins, with John Harper serving as Chairman and additional VPs in place, while the company remains privately held with Portugal Ventures among its known historical investors.

Name

Science4you

Legal name

Science4you S.A

Website

https://science4youtoys.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Science4you S.A. is a Portuguese designer, manufacturer, and retailer of STEAM-based educational toys (science kits, robotics, handicraft kits) for children aged 0-16, sold in 45+ countries through its own e-commerce sites, Amazon, and major retail chains.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Toys

NAICS

Hobby, Toy, and Game Retailers (459120), Doll, Toy, and Game Manufacturing (339930), Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers (4591)

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

Educational & Hobby Robotics Kits (Consumer) (CRACARAG), Robotics Kits, Parts & Lab Equipment Providers (Education-Focused) (EDAMADAN), Kids Crafts & Educational Craft Kits Retail (CRALACAG), Educational/Children’s Learning Games & Puzzles Retail (CRALALAN), Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC), Early Science & Discovery Content (EDAGACAD), DIY Kits, STEM Electronics & Maker Bundles Retail (CRACAKAN)

Keywords

• Educational toys
• Science kits
• Robotics toys
• Stem learning
• Children's crafts

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Educational Toy Sales: Science4you generates revenue through the development, production and sale of educational and scientific toys. Products are sold as one-time purchases through e-commerce and retail channels. The company operates on a product-based revenue model with toys ranging from approximately €4.99 to €99.99.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Science4you develops, produces, and sells educational and scientific toys for children aged 0 to 16, built around the STEAM methodology. The portfolio of more than 100 products includes robotics kits, drones, microscopes and telescopes, science experiment kits (chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy, ecology), cosmetic labs, slime kits, fossil excavation kits, play dough, puzzles, and Montessori-style handicrafts, each paired with a multilingual educational book and online manual accessible via QR code. Products are sold to parents and gift-buyers through the company's own e-commerce store, Amazon, and a network of physical retail partners across 45+ countries.

Product overview

Science4you is a Portuguese company founded in 2008 that develops, produces, and sells educational and scientific toys for children aged 0-16 years. The product portfolio is organized into a diverse catalog of science kits, tech toys, and creative/handicraft products that all follow the STEAM methodology (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). The core offerings include Robotics kits (Betabot, Alfabot 3-in-1, Scorpiobot, Rexbot, WatchBOT, Wooden Reptile Robot, Deltabot), Science Kits across various themes (Physics and Chemistry, Biology, Geology/Fossil Excavation, Astronomy, Ecology, Cosmetic/Beauty), and Handicrafts (Play Dough, Temporary Tattoos, Logic Toys, Puzzles, Mechanical Toys, Montessori). Notable product lines include the Jurassic/Dinosaur-themed excavation and fossil kits, Slime Factory glow-in-the-dark kits, Crystal Factory, Volcano Eruption series, and Perfume/Soap Factory kits. All products include an online educational book accessible via QR code as a digital companion, available in up to 7 languages. The company also offers the Brain Activator educational skill development program and sells books. Products are sold in over 45 countries through retailers including Amazon, major toy stores, and online platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Robotics - Betabot A robotics toy kit priced at €14.99 that allows children to build and learn about robots, part of the STEAM-based tech-toy range.
• Super Science Kit 6 in 1 A multilingual physics-and-chemistry science kit priced at €29.99 that bundles six different experiments in one package for school-age children.
• Space Expedition An astronomy kit priced at €19.99 with 17 experiments exploring space, planets and rocket building for children.
• Jurassic World Explorer A dinosaur-themed science kit priced at €26.99 featuring a projector torch to display dinosaur images and a fossil excavation activity.
• My First Science Kit An introductory multilingual science kit priced at €24.99 for young children (3-5 years) to create play dough, soap bubbles and run basic experiments.
• Perfumes Super Lab A multilingual perfume-making science kit priced at €24.99 that teaches children how to create fragrances through hands-on experiments.
• Bombas de Banho Multi A multilingual bath-bomb making science kit for children in the cosmetic science range.
• Laboratório de Gomas Multi A multilingual gummy-candy laboratory kit that lets children create edible treats as a kitchen-science activity.
• Fábrica de Plasticina DIY A DIY play-dough making kit priced at €19.99 in the handicrafts range for children aged 3-5.
• Mini Drone - Drone4you Spider Pro A child-controlled mini drone toy in the tech-toy range.
• Robotics - Alfabot 3 em 1 A 3-in-1 robotics kit that can be configured in multiple ways, part of the tech-toy robotics range.
• Robotics - Scorpiobot A scorpion-shaped robotics kit in the tech-toy robotics range.
• Robotics - Rexbot A dinosaur-themed robotics kit in the tech-toy robotics range.
• WatchBOT A watch-themed robotics toy in the tech-toy robotics range.
• Wooden Reptile Robot A wooden construction kit with 16 wooden parts to build a walking robot reptile, combining handicraft and tech-toy concepts.
• Fossil Excavation 3 in 1 A geology kit containing three blocks from which children can excavate Triceratops, T-Rex and Stegosaurus fossils.
• Fossil Excavation 4 in 1 A 4-in-1 fossil excavation kit featuring different dinosaur fossils in the geology range.
• Mini GID Excavation Kit A mini excavation kit with glow-in-the-dark dinosaur figures in the geology range.
• Glow-in-the-dark Fossil Excavations - Brachiosaurus A glow-in-the-dark Brachiosaurus fossil excavation kit in the geology range.
• Precious Gem Excavations A gem excavation kit from which children can discover 10 precious gems and learn about minerals.
• Magnetic Inventions An electromagnetic science kit exploring magnetic science through activities such as magnetic race and meteorite discovery.
• Super Rocket - NASA A NASA-themed rocket kit with 13 experiments to launch rockets up to 20 meters.
• Microscópio Inteligente A smart microscope for children in the tech-toy microscope range.
• Telescópio Explora o Universo A telescope kit for children to explore the universe, in the astronomy range.
• Plasma Globe A plasma-globe science toy in the physics-and-chemistry range.
• Volcano Eruption A multilingual volcano-eruption experiment kit in the geology range.
• Light Up Globe - English Version An illuminated globe for learning geography, English version.
• My First Veterinary Kit A veterinary science kit for children in the biology range.
• FUNtastic Slime Time - Multi A multilingual slime-making science kit in the FUNtastic line.
• Slime Apocalipse An apocalypse-themed slime science kit.
• FUNtastic Chemistry Lab A multilingual chemistry laboratory kit in the FUNtastic line.
• Geoplano A geoboard for learning geometry, part of the handicrafts logic-toy range.
• Dinosaurs - First Steps with Numbers A dinosaur-themed counting puzzle with 55 dinosaur disks to develop numeracy skills.
• Montessori Creative Box A multilingual Montessori-style creative box kit in the handicrafts Montessori range.
• Nature Explorer A multilingual ecology and nature-exploration science kit.
• Online Educational Book (Digital Manual) A digital educational manual bundled with Science4you kits, accessible via QR code or website in multiple languages (up to 7), with real-time updates and replacing printed instructions for environmental sustainability.

Quantifiable outcome

• Saving over 5,000 trees per year through digital manuals instead of printed instructions

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCUL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Science4you S.A was founded in January 2008 by Miguel Pina Martins in a partnership with the Faculty of Sciences of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa (FCUL). The company develops educational toys in cooperation with universities.
• Oxford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScience4you toys are developed in cooperation with Oxford University scientists to ensure science, fun and education are combined in each toy product.
• AmazonmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal distribution partner selling Science4you products through Amazon marketplace in multiple countries including UK, USA, France, Germany, Canada, Australia, and Spain.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• LeapFrog (VTech subsidiary): Educational toy and tablet brand for children delivering structured learning experiences; competes with Science4you's tech-toy category through interactive learning devices but with a much larger marketing footprint.
• Melissa & Doug: Large US educational toy brand specializing in wooden puzzles, play sets, and craft kits; overlaps with Science4you's handicrafts and puzzles categories but lacks the science-experiments specialization.
• VTech: Global leader in electronic learning toys for children including LeapFrog; competes with Science4you's tech-toy and robotics categories but spans a much broader product portfolio from infant electronics to tablets.
• National Geographic (licensed science kits): Licenses science kit lines (geology, archaeology, gem excavation) through partners like Discover with Dr. Cool - directly comparable to Science4you's fossil excavation and geology product lines and benefits from superior brand recognition.

Direct peers

• Thames & Kosmos: US-based science kit maker with extensive catalog of chemistry, physics, and engineering kits for children, positioned similarly to Science4you in the educational science-experiments segment.
• 4M Industrial Development Limited: Manufacturer of science and craft kits including robotics, steam, and "Green Science" eco line, with a similar global multi-retailer distribution model overlapping with Science4you's product mix.
• Toysmith: US-based toy supplier of science kits, slime kits, and educational crafts sold through mass-market retailers - direct competitor to Science4you's slime, cosmetic, and science-experiment ranges.
• Clementoni: Italian educational toy manufacturer offering STEM-focused science kits, robotics, and "Discovery" line directly comparable to Science4you's STEAM-based kit portfolio and 7-language European distribution.
• Engino: STEM-focused maker of snap-together construction and robotics kits (including solar/hydraulic powered sets) competing closely with Science4you's robotics line (Betabot, Alfabot, Deltabot).
• The Learning Journey: Educational toy maker producing puzzles, science kits, and STEM toys for children, with comparable mass-retail distribution and age-segmented product strategy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCFf2BRNBHrktBhYiLbq7JnA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Science4youToys
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/science4you
• Instagraminstagram.com/science4you_toys
• TikToktiktok.com/@science4youu
• Xx.com/science4you_uk

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Science4you