Where It All Began
In 2001, while on a trip to Japan, Abhishek Goel (he/him) was approached by a researcher from the University of Tokyo. The researcher explained that since English was not his first language, he needed help to make sure the manuscript met the standards of international journals in terms of grammar, syntax, and clarity. Abhishek realized that researchers around the world who didn’t speak English as a first language struggled to get published in international journals. He thought that a team of language and publishing experts could partner with these researchers to help them overcome the barrier of language and reach. This is how the idea for CACTUS was born.
CACTUS is founded
Brothers Abhishek and Anurag launch CACTUS to help ESL authors meet their publishing goals. Editage becomes CACTUS’s flagship brand and starts offering high-quality English language editing.
First subsidiary opens doors
Cactus Life Sciences brand is launched
CACTUS introduces Centers of Excellence and freelancer models
CACTUS introduces Centers of Excellence, subject-specialized editorial teams led by a Managing Editor, to ensure the quality of edited papers.
Around the same time, CACTUS moves to a freelancer model and expands its editorial workforce to include specialists from the US, UK, Australia, and other parts of the world.
First ScienceTalks event held
CACTUS launches ScienceTalks, a science media and community platform. A committee of researchers and science stakeholders comes together for the first ScienceTalks Symposium.
In 2019, ScienceTalks is launched in China in partnership with ScienceNet, one of China’s most influential academic news and blogging platforms.
Editage Insights launched for authors
CACTUS launches Editage Insights, a repository of author resources, courses, and industry insights. This platform is available in four languages.
CACTUS ranks first in Great Place to Work survey
CACTUS gets picked as India’s best (mid-size) workplace in a survey involving 219 such organizations.
Over the years, CACTUS has been recognized as a preferred organization to work for by several organizations.
Blank:a for universities and institutes is launched
CACTUS launches Blank:a, a magazine aimed to disseminate best practices among universities and institutes. Its online version is launched in English, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean in 2019. In 2021, Blank:a is rebranded as ScienceTalks Magazine.
Research communication services launched for research outreach
CACTUS launches research communication services to help researchers, universities, publishers, and others distil and present their breakthroughs and disseminate it across global platforms. These services are later sold under the Impact Science brand and today as Digital Media Solutions under Editage.
CACTUS acquires UNSILO
CACTUS makes its first acquisition, a Denmark-based AI startup called UNSILO, to scale its tech offerings.
Paperpal and Researcher.Life offerings go live
CACTUS releases two AI-powered platforms: Paperpal, which uses machine learning to help journals and authors carry out technical and language checks; and Researcher.Life, a suite of solutions to help researchers read the latest articles (R Discovery), find the right journals (Global Journal Database), and learn new skills (R Upskill).
In 2024, Researcher.Life features and products get folded into the Editage platform.
CACTUS becomes remote-first
CACTUS embraces a remote-first setup and announces that any Cactizen can work from any place that makes them happy and more productive. Today, all roles at CACTUS are remote.
First episode of science communication podcast is out
CACTUS launches a podcast delving into pivotal issues, emerging trends, and impactful technologies shaping the research world and academic publishing. In 2023, the podcast, hosted by Cactizen Nikesh Gosalia, is relaunched as Insights Xchange.
Mind the Graph joins CACTUS
CACTUS acquires Mind the Graph, a SaaS platform with the world’s largest scientifically accurate illustrations gallery, giving researchers and organizations access to automated, DIY science figures.
THINK Academia for researcher wellbeing goes live
CACTUS launches THINK Academia, an initiative aimed at creating a better, safer, and more welcoming work environment for researchers. This platform is a result of a global survey on mental health among researchers, the largest and most diverse survey of its kind.
Editage Grant for young researchers is launched
CACTUS goes live with Editage Grant in Japan to support early career researchers and provide them with a platform to nurture their academic journey.
Employer Brand Promise goes live
CACTUS releases its Employer Brand Promise and tagline: Powering Research, Empowering People.
Editage hosts leadership events in Saudi Arabia
Editage hosts two leadership events – in Riyadh and Jeddah – where prominent Saudi researchers and academics discuss Vision 2030 milestones and how Editage can help achieve this by collaborating with researchers and research-based institutions.
New acquisitions: nspm and eluSCIdate
Cactus Life Sciences acquires nspm and eluSCIdate, two medical communications and publications companies headquartered in Switzerland. This development allows Cactus Life Sciences to offer enhanced services for biopharma clients.
One platform for all researcher solutions is unveiled
CACTUS brings its expert services and AI products under a unified Editage platform with the aim of improving the efficiency and productivity of researchers in scholarly communication and publication.
Akhilesh Ayer named CEO
CACTUS appoints Akhilesh Ayer as its new Chief Executive Officer. Outgoing CEO Abhishek Goel takes on the role of Chief Mentor.
