Captain Science

About Captain Science

Captain Science (科学队长) is a Chinese education company providing science-focused learning for children aged 3 to 12. The company develops both online and offline educational materials, including app-based courses, audio stories, and interactive educational toys, covering subjects such as astronomy, biology, and geography. Its business model serves individual consumers, with parents purchasing content for their children, and also operates on a B2B basis by offering a comprehensive science education solution for K-12 institutions. This B2B system includes curriculum developed with scientists, teacher training programs, and complete sets of teaching aids.

The company was founded in 2015 by Ji Zhongzhan (纪中展), a former media executive who was previously the vice president of The Founder magazine (创业家) and secretary-general of the Heima Club. Captain Science was initially launched as a sub-brand of 'The Intellectual' (知识分子), a mobile new media platform established by prominent scientists Rao Yi, Lu Bai, and Xie Yu. This connection provides the company with a network of hundreds of scientists who participate in curriculum development and research. Ji Zhongzhan's vision is to address China's gap in youth scientific literacy by creating educational content that fosters a spirit of inquiry and explains the scientific principles behind phenomena, moving beyond mere spectacle.

Captain Science has secured multiple funding rounds, including an RMB 30 million Series A in May 2018, led by Shanshui Ventures (山水创投) and its China Chuangke Mentor Fund, with participation from investors like ZhenFund and TAL Education Group. The company aims to be a 'central kitchen' for science education, empowering other institutions to deliver high-quality scientific learning.