Ben Casnocha

Ben has a track record of succesfully keynoting conferences and events. At 20 years-old, he is an author, world traveler, technology entrepreneur, and current college student, so he offers a truly compelling and unique perspective on some of the most important business and education issues today.

Ben is the author of the bestselling business book “My Start-Up Life: What a (Very) Young CEO Learned on His Journey Through Silicon Valley” which the New York Times called “precocious, informative, and entertaining.” He founded Comcate, Inc., an e-government software company, at age 14.

Ben’s work has been featured in dozens of international media including CNN, USA Today, CNBC, and ABC’s 20/20. At a conference in Paris PoliticsOnline named him one of the “25 most influential people in the world of internet and politics.” BusinessWeek recently named Ben “one of America’s top young entrepreneurs.” He writes prolifically on his blog which the San Jose Business Journal called one of the “Top 25 Blogs in Silicon Valley.” He also is a commentator for NPR’s “Marketplace.”

Ben has given speeches at dozens of universities and organizations around the world. He has traveled to more than 25 countries. He also co-runs the Silicon Valley Junto, an intellectual discussion society for business and technology executives. In his free time Ben enjoys playing chess, ping-pong, reading, and writing.

Speech Topics:

Entrepreneurship as Life Idea: Becoming CEO Of Your Own Life

In what one professor recently called “the most powerful presentation on entrepreneurship I have witnessed,” Ben declares entrepreneurship more a life idea than a business one. He explains several core entrepreneurial concepts that can applied to any aspect of life: creativity, screwing around, maintaining side projects, optimism, harboring a bias toward action, among others. Interweaving personal anecdotes and experiences, as well as drawing upon the lessons of hundreds of other entrepreneurs and leaders, Ben presents an inspiring and persuasive vision for the entrepreneurial life, and gives audience members specific tools to start their own businesses or simply become CEO of their own lives.

Generational Workplace Issues: Connecting with Gen Y

With a wealth of business experience at age 21, Ben is uniquely able to explain some of the most common generational challenges in companies today. What’s the best way to incentivize a member of the Facebook generation? What are their expectations for salary, responsibilities, and communication protocols? Which generational generalizations are accurate and which are propagated by consulting firms trying to make a buck? Walk away with a better understanding of the attitudes of the most connected generation in history — and how you can bring out their best in your organization.

Social Media: What It Means

Blogs. Social networks. Twitter. Podcasts. YouTube. These and other “Social Media” technologies are changing the way people use the web. They’re changing the way people form relationships both online and off; changing how customers talk about your brand; changing the expectations your users have when interacting with your online content. Ben will explain all of these dynamics. His effectiveness lies in his ability to explain complex technology in layman’s terms.

The Art of Mentorship

Studies show that executives who were mentored at a young age went on to earn more money and be more successful than there non-mentored counterparts. Mentoring is widely seen as important, but rarely explained from the perspective of the “mentee” and mentor. Ben, who at a young age cultivated deep relationships with Silicon Valley titans, will discuss the keys to a successful mentoring relationship, how to be a good mentee, how to find a mentor, and how to be a mentor yourself. Coming not from a spiritual guru or business consultant, but rather from someone who’s in the trenches right now working with mentors, Ben’s presentation brims with authenticity and practical advice for people involved in either (or both) sides of a mentoring relationship.

Leading and Succeeding in a Global World

Over the past few years, Ben has traveled to more than 25 countries and met thousands of entrepreneurs, students, journalists, and political leaders. Through this on-the-ground experience, Ben provides a wide-ranging look at the forces of globalization and what it means for your business. From the shift of power to the east, to the internet’s impact on developing countries, Ben distills some of the key trends and offers practical advice on how to lead and succeed in an increasingly connected and competitive economy.

Improving the Competitiveness of Your Region

How can your region attract more entrepreneurs, scientists, and technology companies? How can your city become more creative and competitive? What does Silicon Valley do differently? What is distinctive about the mindset of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs? Ben draws upon his experiences traveling to hundreds of cities throughout the U.S. and the world as well as his insight into the minds of the talented leaders of tomorrow to offer an enlightened perspective on economic development strategies for cities and regions.

ROI/Tangible Program Benefits:

• Audience members acquire specific tools to start their own businesses or simply become CEO of their own lives
• Understand some of the most common generational challenges in companies today
• Walk away with a better understanding of the attitudes of the most connected generation in history — and how you can bring out their best in your organization
• Get a wide-ranging look at the forces of globalization and what it means to aspiring businesspeople and, in particular, young people wanting to compete in the 21st century
• Learn how to lead and succeed in an increasingly connected and competitive economy