Digital Science

Digital Science, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, operates as a distinctive technology company dedicated to enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of scientific research globally. As a part of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, Digital Science employs a multi-faceted approach that combines direct investment, strategic acquisitions, and the incubation of new ventures. Their core mission revolves around building and supporting innovative software and data solutions that serve researchers, academic institutions, and publishers across the entire research lifecycle, from discovery and analysis to publication and impact assessment.

The firm primarily targets early-stage companies, typically from seed to Series A rounds, that are developing cutting-edge tools and platforms for the scientific community. Digital Science is not a traditional venture capital fund, but rather a strategic investor that often seeks to integrate its portfolio companies into a broader ecosystem of research support tools. Notable investments include participation in the seed rounds for companies like Ripeta, which secured $1.1 million, and Writefull, also with a $1.1 million seed round, both focused on improving research integrity and writing. They also participated in the $5 million Series A round for Overleaf, a collaborative writing platform for scientific papers.

Digital Science's investment philosophy is deeply rooted in fostering long-term growth and synergy within its portfolio. Their investments are often followed by close collaboration, providing strategic guidance and operational support to help these nascent companies scale. This approach frequently culminates in full acquisitions, as seen with companies like Altmetric, Figshare, and Symplectic, which have become integral components of Digital Science's comprehensive suite of offerings. The firm's commitment extends beyond mere capital injection, aiming to build a robust infrastructure that empowers researchers and accelerates scientific discovery worldwide.