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Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Little Scientists vs ICode including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.
| Start-Up Costs and Fees | ||
| Investment | $35,000 | $293,000 - $347,000 | 
| Franchise Fee | $20,000 | $35,000 | 
| Royalty Fee | 6%/$250/Mo. | 6% | 
| Advertising Fee | 1% | 2% | 
| Year Founded | 1993 | 2016 | 
| Year Franchised | 1996 | 2016 | 
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years +10 | - | 
| Term Of Agreement | 10 years +10 | - | 
| Renewal Fee | - | - | 
| 
 Business Experience Requirements | ||
| Experience | - | - | 
| Financing Options | ||
| In-House/3rd Party | In-House/3rd Party | |
| Franchise Fees | -/- | -/- | 
| Start-up Costs | -/- | -/- | 
| Equipment | -/- | -/- | 
| Inventory | -/- | -/- | 
| Receivables | -/- | -/- | 
| Payroll | -/- | -/- | 
| Training & Support | ||
| Training | 1. HQ 1 Week 2. HQ 2 Times/Year 3. On Site 2-4 Times/Year | - | 
| Support | Central Data Processing Central Purchasing Field Operation Evaluation Field Training Franchisee Newsletter Central Data Processing Regional or National Meetings 800 Telephone Hotline | - | 
| Marketing | - | - | 
| Operations | Average Number of Employees: 2 Full-time, 6-10 Part-time Passive Ownership: Allowed, But Discouraged | - | 
| Expansion Plans | ||
| US Expansion | Yes | Yes | 
| Canada Expansion | - | - | 
| International Expansion | Yes | - | 
The Little Scientists "hands-on" approach to teaching and learning was created to achieve two goals: to instill in children a passion for the exciting world of science and to help children develop specific scientific skills that will enable them to enjoy a lifetime of learning. We now have over 200 "hands-on" science lessons in subjects such as: Why is the Sky Blue, Magical Magnets, the Science of Flying, Chemistry, Electromagnetism -- and we are continuing to develop new lessons.
Proprietary STEAM-based educational courses for children and 
engaging courses for families, and other programs that ICode may develop periodically.