Yesterday was a big day here at ResearchGate HQ: Chancellor Angela Merkel came to visit us on a tour of the Berlin startup scene!

The former physicist was in high spirits and very interested to learn about how we’re connecting researchers worldwide and leading science into the digital age.

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It all started with Ijad Madisch, our CEO and co-founder, who presented the chancellor with a short intro to the company and a few examples of successful collaborations that came about through the platform. For Chancellor Merkel this was “a glimpse into the future, a future that’s already becoming reality.” We took this as a big compliment, and a big stamp of approval.

Mrs. Merkel also got to sit down with a few of ResearchGate’s best: engineers, product managers, and our feelgood manager. She was very impressed: “All of this can only be achieved because everyone has dedicated themselves to a common vision.”

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Matt Cohler of Benchmark, one of our investors, said: “It was fascinating to witness world changers from the scientific and political arenas come together. To experience this and to have the opportunity to participate is a privilege for me.”

We’d have loved to have shown her even more, but after 45 minutes she was on the road again, this time to visit our friends at Wooga, the popular social game developer headquartered just around the corner from us in Berlin.

For all of us here at ResearchGate HQ it was a great honor to welcome the chancellor. We couldn’t have done it without you though. Mrs. Merkel knows that and has a message for you:

“Good luck to all the scientists on ResearchGate. May your constant search for answers help to make the network even better.”

Thank you all for helping to make ResearchGate what it is today. Please keep your feedback coming.

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