Positioning Science for Impact: Partners Help Scintillon Institute Expand Its Reach

Featuring The Scintillon Research Institute

Nestled in the heart of San Diego’s biotechnology hub, The Scintillon Research Institute is at the forefront of biomedical discovery—developing cutting-edge tools for biological imaging, cancer research, and sustainable energy solutions. Scintillon approached SVP to explore a positioning strategy that emphasized its specialized research capabilities, and preparing it to approach large institutional funders for a dedicated research center focused on aging.

The SVP team of Tom Watlington (Lead), Bob Murtfeldt, and Olivia Bloom partnered with Scintillon’s leadership including Founder & Scientific Director Jiwu Wang to help refine its identity and fundraising approach.

The engagement initially focused on diversifying revenue streams by evaluating Scintillon’s research opportunities and assessing monetization potential. To understand what drives success for similar organizations, the team conducted external interviews with industry experts and worked closely with Scintillon’s faculty to identify its strongest differentiators.

Through this process, a clear consensus emerged: Scintillon should reorient its focus toward the aging sector, emphasizing quality of life through aging as a core pillar of its research. With this refined positioning, the team shifted its focus to developing a compelling narrative and fundraising materials that would attract major institutional investors.

By the end of the engagement, Scintillon had the tools to break into a higher tier of research institutes focused on aging. With a suite of tailored fundraising materials—including a detailed pitch presentation, an executive summary, and an introductory brief—the nonprofit is now well-equipped to approach large-scale funders and drive its vision forward.

"The meeting sessions the SVP partners conducted with us were strikingly results-oriented. There was no fuss or shallow water wading. The depth of their knowledge, business sense, and willingness to share went beyond our expectations and is extremely appreciated." - Jiwu Wang, Ph.D., Founder & Scientific Director

With a clearer identity and a focused growth strategy, Scintillon is poised to secure the resources needed to advance groundbreaking research in aging—and SVP was proud to play a role in making that vision a reality.