Summit for Stem Cell Foundation

What Summit for Stem Cell Foundation does

Summit for Stem Cell Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 2011 and headquartered in Encinitas, California (San Diego area), with a volunteer-led staff of 1–10. The foundation's stated mission is to support, educate, and raise awareness about evidence-based regenerative medical therapies focused on Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, serving three primary beneficiary segments: people with Parkinson's, their families and caregivers, and the medical/scientific community. Its core program portfolio comprises an Education Program (free webinars moderated by Science and Education Chair Dr. Jeanne Loring, sponsored by CIRM and Aspen Neuroscience; published resources including Stem Cells 101, a Parkinson's glossary, FDA/Clinical Trial process documentation, and the quarterly Summit Sentinel newsletter); a Research Program providing grants and fellowships (currently funding the Cincinnati Cohort Biomarker Program under Dr. Alberto Espay); and a Patient Services Program that is developing The Center for Parkinson's Health and Well-being in the San Diego area.

The foundation's technology footprint is non-traditional — it does not build software products but operates a digital content distribution stack (website at summitforstemcell.org, GoToWebinar hosting, Facebook/Instagram channels, email subscription, Network for Good donation processing) layered onto Mission Edge San Diego's fiscal sponsorship back-office. Its core scientific contribution historically came from co-founding Aspen Neuroscience in 2018, into which Summit transferred the autologous iPSC-derived dopamine neuron replacement therapy it had funded ($4.5M cumulative raised from 2011–2018) — a move that enabled ANPD001 to reach FDA IND clearance and Fast Track Designation in 2024.

Summit's revenue model is entirely donation-driven: tax-exempt contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations accepted via website (Network for Good), mail, and employer matching programs, supplemented by event-based fundraising (theater preview nights, dinner concerts, 5K runs, community gatherings). Go-to-market is community-led and event-driven — leveraging volunteer networks, scientific expert convening, and recurring programming (webinars, quarterly newsletter) to acquire and retain donors. Leadership includes co-founder/President Jenifer Raub, Science Advisor Dr. Jeanne Loring (Scripps Research Professor Emeritus, Aspen Neuroscience founder), and a board of business, scientific, and financial advisors.

Name

Summit for Stem Cell Foundation

Legal name

Summit for Stem Cell Foundation

Website

https://summitforstemcell.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Summit for Stem Cell Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that supports, educates, and raises awareness about regenerative medicine therapies for Parkinson's disease. The volunteer-led organization funds research, provides free educational webinars, and is developing a wellness center in San Diego.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Healthcare Education and Patient Advocacy

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI), Health Science & Medical STEM Programs (Pre-Med, Public Health) (EDAMABAJ)

Keywords

• Regenerative medicine education
• Parkinson's disease advocacy
• Stem cell research support
• Patient education webinars
• Nonprofit healthcare services

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Summit for Stem Cell Foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that relies entirely on charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donations are tax-exempt and used to support the organization's mission and programs including education, research, and patient services. The organization accepts donations through its website via Network for Good, by mail, and through employer matching gift programs.
2. Event-based Fundraising: The organization raises funds through special events including theater performances, concerts, dinners, and community gatherings. These events generate revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations collected during events. Proceeds support Summit's programs and the Capital Campaign for The Center for Parkinson's Health and Well-being.
3. Fiscal Sponsorship Services: Mission Edge San Diego serves as Summit's fiscal sponsor, providing administrative and operational support services in connection with the operation of the organization and the Summit Website.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Summit for Stem Cell Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to support, educate, and raise awareness about evidence-based regenerative medical therapies focused on Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. The Foundation delivers free educational webinars featuring world-renowned scientific experts, publishes evidence-based resources and a quarterly newsletter, funds Parkinson's disease research grants and fellowships, and is developing a Center for Parkinson's Health and Well-being in the San Diego area.

Product overview

Summit for Stem Cell Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization that does not offer a traditional software product. Instead, it provides a portfolio of education, research support, and patient services focused on Parkinson's disease and regenerative medicine. The core offerings include: an Education Program with free webinars featuring world-renowned scientific experts; a Research Program funding grants and fellowships for Parkinson's and neurodegenerative disease research; Patient Services providing evidence-based information and resources; The Center for Parkinson's Health and Well-being (in development); and educational publications including the Summit Sentinel newsletter, Stem Cells 101 resource, Parkinson's glossary, and FDA/clinical trial information. The organization monitors and provides updates on the autologous dopamine neuron replacement therapy being developed by Aspen Neuroscience, which originated from research funded by Summit.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Center for Parkinson's Health and Well-being: A new Summit project designed for Patients, Families, and Caregivers coping with Parkinson's disease, providing tools, knowledge and resources for empowerment to live their best lives.

Products and services

• Education Program Educational webinar series featuring world-renowned expert speakers providing evidence-based information on stem cells, regenerative medicine, Parkinson's disease, FDA clinical trial processes, and cell-based therapies. Includes free webinars moderated by Dr. Jeanne Loring, Summit's Science and Education Chair.
• Research Program Funding and support program for innovative, evidence-based research focused on Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Includes research grant program and fellowship funding opportunities, with ongoing support for the Cincinnati Cohort Biomarker Program.
• Patient Services Program Provides evidence-based information, education, health resources, and programs focused on empowerment and guidance to help individuals with Parkinson's disease manage their healthcare and lives.
• The Center for Parkinson's Health and Well-being A planned wellness center in the San Diego area providing comprehensive programs, resources, and evidence-based information for people with Parkinson's, their families, and caregivers. Currently in capital campaign phase.
• Summit Sentinel Newsletter Quarterly newsletter providing updates on stem cell research, Parkinson's disease news, Aspen Neuroscience developments, and organizational announcements.
• Stem Cells 101 Educational Resource Comprehensive educational document explaining stem cells, types of stem cells (multipotent vs pluripotent), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), differentiation processes, and the promise of regenerative medicine.
• Glossary of Parkinson's Disease Patient-created glossary of Parkinson's disease terminology covering medical terms related to the disease, its symptoms, treatments, and related concepts.
• FDA & Clinical Trial Process Information Educational resource explaining FDA regulatory framework for regenerative medicine therapies, clinical trial phases, and expedited programs like Fast Track Designation and RMAT.

Quantifiable outcome

• Raised $4.5 million to advance autologous stem cell-based research for Parkinson's disease
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Aspen Neuroscience, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Summit for Stem Cell Foundation co-founded Aspen Neuroscience in 2018 to bring the autologous iPSC-derived dopamine neuron replacement therapy from bench to bedside. Summit helped launch the company by transferring the body of science and IP license from Scripps Research Institute. Dr. Jeanne Loring, Summit's Science and Education Chair, is the founder of Aspen Neuroscience. Summit continues to monitor and provide information on the cell therapy's progression and is one of its co-founders.
• California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCIRM serves as a sponsor for Summit's educational webinar program, enabling all webinars to be provided free of charge to attendees. CIRM is California's state agency funding stem cell research and regenerative medicine. Summit also maintains an advocacy relationship as an Ambassador organization for CIRM.
• Network for GoodminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork for Good is the online fundraising platform used by Summit for processing charitable donations. Founded in 2001 by America Online, Cisco Systems and Yahoo!, it has processed billions in donations for charities and nonprofit organizations.
• Mission Edge San DiegominorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerMission Edge San Diego serves as Summit's fiscal sponsor, performing services in connection with the operation of the organization and the Summit Website. They have access to personal information for the purpose of performing services on Summit's behalf.
• Stem Cells in Space (SCIS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit is a founding partner in SCIS, a 5-organization collaborative research project using induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Partner organizations include Summit, National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF), New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF), NASA, and Space Tango. The project studies neurodegenerative disease in the microgravity environment of space.
• Scripps Research InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit partnered with Dr. Jeanne Loring and Dr. Andres Bratt-Leal at Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, CA to develop the autologous dopamine neuron replacement therapy. Summit raised millions of dollars to support this research project and opened the Summit Lab specifically for the cell-based therapy's development before transferring the project to Aspen Neuroscience.
• Cincinnati Cohort Biomarker Program (CCBP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummit provides funding and support for the CCBP under the guidance of Dr. Alberto Espay at the University of Cincinnati. The research program is designed to identify biological subtypes of Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions to enable targeted treatments. Summit's Research Grant Program supports this innovative approach to finding cures.
• CIRM Bridges ProgramminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSummit serves as a PD Advocate for CIRM's Bridges program, which connects advocates with college students interested in careers in stem cell and regenerative medicine fields.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Davis Phinney Foundation: Nonprofit dedicated to Parkinson's disease focused on living well today and research for tomorrow. Comparable as a smaller, mission-driven Parkinson's foundation delivering patient-facing programs and webinars.
• New York Stem Cell Foundation: Major stem-cell-focused research and patient-education nonprofit and a co-partner with Summit in the SCIS collaboration. Comparably positioned around stem cell research translation and public education, though with greater institutional scale and lab infrastructure.
• American Parkinson Disease Association: National Parkinson's-focused nonprofit providing research funding, patient services, and education. Comparable in mission and program mix to Summit, though without Summit's specific regenerative-medicine / stem-cell education niche.
• Parkinson's Foundation: Major national 501(c)(3) formed from the merger of National Parkinson Foundation and Parkinson's Disease Foundation. Directly comparable in mission—funding Parkinson's research, providing patient education, and operating community programs—with a much larger national infrastructure than Summit's regional San Diego focus.
• Brian Grant Foundation: Foundation founded by a former professional athlete focused on Parkinson's disease wellness, exercise, and education. Comparable as a smaller Parkinson's-specific education and patient-services nonprofit.
• National Stem Cell Foundation: Nonprofit funding adult stem cell research and rare disease treatments, including as a co-partner with Summit in the SCIS project. Comparable in operating as a stem cell-focused disease research foundation.
• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: The largest private nonprofit funder of Parkinson's disease research worldwide. Directly comparable as a 501(c)(3) foundation funding Parkinson's research and patient education, but with substantially larger scale, endowment, and institutional research grant programs than Summit.

Others

• Aspen Neuroscience: Clinical-stage biotech co-founded by Summit in 2018 to commercialize the autologous iPSC-derived dopamine neuron replacement therapy. Related ecosystem player that Summit incubated rather than a peer; reflects the foundation's translational impact.
• California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM): California's state stem cell research funding agency and a sponsor of Summit's webinar program. Comparable in regenerative-medicine focus but is a government agency rather than a private foundation.
• International Society for Stem Cell Research: Professional society promoting stem cell research and public education, including guidance against unproven therapies. Comparable in patient-education focus around stem cell research, though a professional membership body rather than a patient-focused nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/summit4stemcell
• Instagraminstagram.com/summitforstemcellfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/summit-for-stem-cell-foundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Summit for Stem Cell Foundation