Case Study: Pumpkinseed

Pumpkinseed is a Palo Alto-based deep tech startup founded out of Stanford by Prof. Jen Dionne, Dr. Jack Hu, and Dr. Nhat Vu. The company is developing a proprietary platform for direct protein sequencing — a technically formidable challenge that had eluded the field for decades. Despite compelling science, active partnerships, and a Series A on the horizon, the founding team struggled to articulate the full scope of what they were building and why it mattered beyond the lab.

Beakers & Chips began with in-depth insights sessions with the team and stakeholders, from which a single organizing idea emerged: Pumpkinseed isn't just a protein sequencing company — it's The Biology Mining Company. From that foundation, we developed a complete brand identity, positioning, messaging, website, Series A press and media strategy, partner and investor-facing content, and a strategy to introduce Pumpkinseed to partners, investors, and talent in a big way.

Dr. Jennifer Dionne, Pumpkinseed Co-Founder, Stanford Professor:

"At Pumpkinseed, we were so focused on the science that we struggled to articulate the full scope of what we were building. The challenge with a platform company is that the story can be expansive, and finding a clear and memorable through-line takes real work. Jack and Kevin didn't just help us find the words. They helped us find the frame. The 'Biology Mining Company' positioning emerged from their process, and it instantly clarified how we talk about our work to partners, investors, and the press. For any deep tech company trying to translate breakthrough science into a story the world can act on, Beakers & Chips is the team."