Transforming an Idea into a Disruptive Technology: ResearchGate: A Professional Network for Researchers

How does an idea become a disruptive innovation? On Nov. 4, Dr. Ijad Madisch, CEO and Co-Founder of ResearchGate, will speak at the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI) on how he transformed a simple business idea into a leading professional network for over three million researchers worldwide.

NEW YORK (October 28, 2013) – In an era of highly successful online networks, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and studiVZ, Dr. Ijad Madisch, CEO and Co-Founder of ResearchGate, saw the need to create a web platform designed specifically for researchers. His vision: to enable scientists to share findings and collaborate on projects globally to accelerate scientific progress.

On Monday, November 4, Madisch will speak in New York City about his journey from Germany to the U.S. in search of a more innovative playing field, as well as his subsequent return to Berlin’s bourgeoning tech scene, which he greatly attributes to his company’s success.

Madisch, an M.D. Ph.D., studied medicine in Hannover, Germany and at Harvard Medical School. He also spent a few years in Boston working on an interdisciplinary project in the Department of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Disappointed by inefficient practices in the research world, he co-founded ResearchGate in 2008 with fellow physician Dr. Sören Hofmayer and IT-specialist Horst Fickenscher. Since then, ResearchGate has attracted significant investments from several renown venture capitalists and private investors, among them Bill Gates, Benchmark, and Founders Fund. Just this past summer, ResearchGate secured $35 million during an investment round led by Bill Gates and Tenaya Capital, a late-stage investment firm based in Woodside, California.

Madisch’s presentation will compare start-up culture in the U.S. vs. Germany. He will also address how his business idea is changing the way professional scientists and academics work by providing a new outlet to share published and unpublished data amongst researchers.

This discussion on disruptive innovation in scientific publishing will be moderated by Dr. Joann Halpern, Director of the German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI).

The discussion will take place on Monday, November 4, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the German House New York (871 United Nations Plaza, First Avenue, btw. 48th & 49th Streets). Register for the event by October 31 by visiting:
http://form.jotformpro.com/form/32903920636959

Unable to attend? Follow @gcri_ny and the hashtag #DisruptiveTech for live tweets.

A video recording will be available on www.germaninnovation.org shortly after the event.

The event is co-sponsored by the German Center for Research and Innovation and ResearchGate.

The German Center for Research and Innovation provides information and support for the realization of cooperative and collaborative projects between North America and Germany. With the goal of enhancing communication on the critical challenges of the 21st century, GCRI hosts a wide range of events from lectures and exhibitions to workshops and science dinners. Opened in February 2010, GCRI was created as a cornerstone of the German government’s initiative to internationalize science and research and is one of five centers worldwide.

Media Contact:
Jennifer Audet
Communications Officer
German Center for Research and Innovation
871 United Nations Plaza
New York, NY 10017
Audet@GermanInnovation.org
(212) 339 8680, ext. 302

This release was published on openPR.