{{Short description|Expert network}} {{Infobox company | name = Guidepoint | logo = 250x250px | industry = Expert network | founded = 2003 | founder = Albert Sebag | hq_location = New York City, New York, U.S. }} '''Guidepoint''' is an expert network,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-05-21 |title=Vista Research Finally Finds a Home • Integrity Research |url=https://www.integrity-research.com/vista-research-finally-finds-a-home/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Integrity Research |language=en-US}}</ref> providing business & government professionals with opportunities to communicate with industry and subject-matter experts to answer research questions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/list-of-expert-networks-2010-11|title=How Many Of These Expert Networks Are Being Investigated By The Feds?|work=Business Insider|access-date=2018-10-02}}</ref> == History == Guidepoint was founded by Albert Sebag as Clinical Advisors. Launched in 2003, Clinical Advisors matched cancer patients with the clinical trial that best suited their case.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Timmerman|first=Luke|date=2005-06-01|title=More doctors consulting for Wall Street, study finds|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/more-doctors-consulting-for-wall-street-study-finds/|access-date=2021-12-05|website=The Seattle Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

As Clinical Advisors expanded their network to include expertise in additional healthcare areas, the company progressed into other industries and sectors. In 2007, the company changed its name to Guidepoint Global to reflect this expanded business model.<ref>“Company Overview of Guidepoint Global, LLC.” Bloomberg Businessweek. Accessed 16 Jun 2015. http://www.investing.businessweek.wallst.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=30292548 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709164705/http://www.investing.businessweek.wallst.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=30292548 |date=2015-07-09 }}</ref> In 2009, Guidepoint Global acquired Vista Research, an expert network company that was active in Asia and had a strong network of experts in other industries such as technology and telecom.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-05-21 |title=Vista Research Finally Finds a Home • Integrity Research |url=https://www.integrity-research.com/vista-research-finally-finds-a-home/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Integrity Research |language=en-US}}</ref> from Standard & Poor’s.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2009-05-27|title=McGraw-Hill sells Vista Research|url=https://adage.com/article/btob/mcgraw-hill-sells-vista-research/275550|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Ad Age|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-03-04|title=Hedge Fund Research Firm Buys S&P Expert Network|url=http://www.finalternatives.com/node/8009/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090940/http://www.finalternatives.com/node/8009/|archive-date=2016-03-04|access-date=2021-12-05|website=FINalternatives}}</ref>

Shortly after rebranding as Guidepoint, “the experts at finding expertise,” and premiering a new logo and website,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-01-12|title=Creative Tonic Rebrands Expert Network, 'Guidepoint Global'|url=https://www.logo-designer.co/creative-tonic-logo-design-rebrands-guidepoint-global/|access-date=2021-12-05|website=Logo Designer|language=en-US}}</ref> Guidepoint acquired Innosquared, a Germany-based expert network firm.”<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-02-18|title=Guidepoint Global Acquires Innosquared|url=http://www.finalternatives.com/node/29914|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218082419/http://www.finalternatives.com/node/29914|archive-date=2015-02-18|access-date=2021-12-05|website=FINalternatives}}</ref>

== Business model == Clients use Guidepoint as a resource to find answers to specific industry questions that might only be answered by industry and subject-matter experts. The company essentially operates as a matchmaking service, connecting its users to recruited experts in the field they are looking to learn more about. Experts are categorized into six main industry sectors: Healthcare; Financial and Business Services; Consumer Goods and Services; Energy and Industrials; Tech, Media, and Telecom; and Legal and Regulatory.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our Advisors |url=https://www.guidepoint.com/our-advisors/ |access-date=2024-08-06 |website=Guidepoint |language=en-US}}</ref>

Services are subscription-based and include hourly phone consultations, in-person events, teleconferences, surveys, custom research reports, and a monthly healthcare data offering called Guidepoint TRACKER, which features data on market share in the therapeutics and medical device sectors,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Guidepoint Launches Post-Surgical Pain Management TRACKER |url=https://www.biospace.com/article/-b-guidepoint-b-launches-post-surgical-pain-management-tracker-/ |access-date=2023-03-14 |website=BioSpace |language=en-US}}</ref> such as the US Breast Implant market.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mattioli |first=Jonathan D. Rockoff and Dana |title=Bid for Allergan Puts Valeant's Research and Development Cuts Under Scrutiny |url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/bid-for-allergan-puts-valeants-research-and-development-cuts-under-scrutiny-1402443053 |access-date=2023-03-14 |newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=10 June 2014 |language=en-US}}</ref>

According to Integrity Research, Guidepoint is ranked as the second-largest expert network,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Premium Article - sign in or subscribe • Integrity Research |url=https://www.integrity-research.com/mm-error/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Integrity Research |language=en-US}}</ref> with a network of more than 1,000,000 experts.

== Regulatory issue with insider trading == In 2010, there were allegations that an expert who provided expert network services gave confidential information to a third party who traded on that information in violation of the federal securities law. That resulted in a strong regulatory focus on the industry and its investment firm clients.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lubin |first=Gus |title=How Many Of These Expert Networks Are Being Investigated By The Feds? |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/list-of-expert-networks-2010-11 |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> Charges were not brought against Guidepoint. According to Integrity Research, “Although Guidepoint was mentioned in insider trading complaints, its compliance procedures protected it from accusations of wrong doing.”<ref>{{Cite web |title=Premium Article - sign in or subscribe • Integrity Research |url=https://www.integrity-research.com/mm-error/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=Integrity Research |language=en-US}}</ref>

== References ==

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<!--- Categories ---> Category:Business intelligence organizations Category:Companies based in New York City Category:Privately held companies based in New York (state) Category:Research and analysis firms of the United States Category:Knowledge markets Category:Consulting firms established in 2003