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Salim Ismail

Chairman, OpenExO, Author - Exponential Organizations, Board Member - X Prize, Founding Executive Director, Singularity University

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Biography

Salim is a sought-after business strategist who presents globally to the leaders of many of the world’s largest companies and Heads of State. He has been featured across many media outlets, including The New York Times, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Fortune, Forbes, WIRED, Vogue, Fox Business, and the BBC. Part of Salim’s magnetism is that he speaks from experience in transforming companies. He is the Founder and Chairman of ExO Works and OpenExO, which help companies implement the lessons from Exponential Organizations by emulating the world’s fastest-growing companies. They inspire innovators to replace incremental innovation with 10X improvements, implement groundbreaking technologies and profitably achieve large-scale social impact. As a result, they have created billions of dollars of return on investment over the past four years for clients, including Procter & Gamble, HP, Visa, BHP, and Stanley Black & Decker. Salim is a serial entrepreneur. Most recently, he founded OpenExO, Inc. He previously founded several technology companies, including New York Grant Company, Confabb, PubSub Concepts, Fastrack Institute, and Angstro, which Google acquired in 2010. In addition, he led Brickhouse,Yahoo!’s internal incubator, was the Founding Executive Director of Singularity University, and is a Board member of XPRIZE Foundation. These associations give him extraordinary access to the most influential innovators of our time, plus technologies and business ideas while they are in stealth mode. Salim’s quantum physics and philosophy education combined with his career experience gives him a uniquely macro vision of how the institutions that underpin our society and economy are broken and should be fixed. Moreover, his entertaining, irreverent, epiphany-inducing presentations are known for impressing even the most skeptical listeners.

Speech Topics

  • Exponential Medicine

    The fastest technological improvement today is being seen in biotechnology. According to technology strategist Salim Ismail, by the year 2020 it will be cheaper to sequence your genome than to flush your toilet. What will this mean for personalized therapies? Will we eradicate allergies? Or grow replacement organs? Will artificial intelligence make better, more accurate diagnoses than human doctors? Could a computer be your future surgeon? Ismail tells incredible stories of the research and development he’s seen first-hand and the potential for next-generation disruptive technologies. He weighs the benefits with the sinister side and calls on society to prepare our systems from running the world (legal, political, medical) to meet the realities of the very near future.

  • Exponential Organizations

    As a result of accelerating change, a new breed of businesses is scaling 10 times faster than established organizational structures. Salim Ismail calls these exponential organizations. This talk describes the characteristics and attributed of these organizations and finishes with how to implement these ideas into established companies. He looks at today’s fastest growing technologies and the social impact they will have on our organizational, political, legal, educational, and medical systems. From artificial intelligence to biotech, these disruptive technologies are changing the face of many disparate industries and creating new innovations and opportunities. Audiences walk away with a tailored action plan for moving forward that utilizes five internal and five external strategies to spur astounding growth – like partnering with an incubator and transforming their organization’s leadership team.

  • Disruptive Convergence

    Salim describes major breakthroughs occurring in a series of accelerating technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, biotech, sensors, neuroscience, medicine, and even energy. He describes the implications of these breakthroughs on both society and business, and will give a perspective on their impact tailored to each specific audience.

  • The Future of Entrepreneurship

    The confluence of new developments makes today the best time ever to be an entrepreneur. Salim talks about how accelerating technologies, crowd funding, incubators, fablabs, and cloud computing have made it faster, better, and cheaper to be an entrepreneur. This talk also covers the steps needed to create entrepreneurial ecosystems and start-up communities in different regions.

  • Exponential Finance

    Today there are 8 billion internet-connected devices in the world. By 2020 Salim Ismail predicts there will be 50 billion. Will computer driven cars be a reality in three years? Will we see a dramatically lengthened lifespan and delayed retirements in a matter of 1-2 decades? What does this mean for investment, growth, and contraction in key industries? As the world becomes more digital, advancements in technology are skyrocketing. Technology strategist Salim Ismail knows the trajectory of fascinating projects that are sure to change our lives and challenge societal norms as we know them. His take on the impact of the financial services sector will have you thinking twice about where to put money and how much is needed for the future.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I check Salim Ismail's availability or request a quote?
    You can inquire about Salim Ismail's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.
  • What factors influence the speaker's fee?
    Other factors that influence a keynote speaker's fee include their reputation, expertise, demand, experience, duration of the presentation, travel requirements for the event location, and any additional services, activities or customization options they offer.
  • Are travel expenses included in the speaker's fee?
    Travel expenses are typically not included in the listed speaker's fee and are quoted separately. If the speaker needs to travel internationally, fees will be higher. These expenses may include airfare, accommodation, ground transportation at home and in the event city, and meals. We can provide more detailed information about travel expenses and arrangements once you've selected a speaker.
  • How do I book Salim Ismail for my event?
    The speaker booking process typically involves the following steps: contact Key Speakers to confirm Salim Ismail's availability, fees, and any unique requirements (we can also help negotiate fees and terms); submit a firm offer to extend the invite to your speaker, with the details used to create an agreement once the speaker accepts; coordinate and finalize the terms of the booking, including contract terms and conditions; and confirm the booking by signing the contract and making the necessary payments.
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    Keynote speakers can speak at a wide range of events, virtual or in person, including conferences, corporate meetings, industry conventions, seminars, workshops, fundraising galas, educational programs, and other special occasions where an inspirational or informative address is desired.
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    When selecting a keynote speaker, consider the following factors: the speaker's expertise and knowledge relevant to your event's theme or industry; their speaking style, ability to engage the audience, and deliver impactful messages; past client testimonials, reviews, or references; and the speaker's availability and fee within your budget.
  • What are the payment terms and conditions?
    A deposit is required upon signing the contract, with the remaining balance due 2–4 weeks before the event. If the event is taking place within 30 days, the full balance is due upon signing.
  • How far in advance should I book a keynote speaker?
    It is generally advisable to book a keynote speaker as early as possible, especially if you have a specific speaker in mind or if your event is during a peak season holiday. Ideally, booking a speaker three to six months in advance can increase the chances of securing your desired speaker.
  • Can you help me with the logistics and technical requirements for the speaker's presentation?
    Yes, we can assist you with the logistics and technical requirements for the speaker's presentation. We stay actively involved during pre-event planning to coordinate with you and ensure that the necessary audiovisual equipment, staging, lighting, and other technical aspects are in place for a successful presentation.
  • Are there any special requirements or accommodations that need to be considered for the speaker?
    Keynote speakers may have specific requirements or accommodations that need to be considered, such as travel arrangements, accommodation preferences, dietary restrictions, or accessibility needs. Some speakers have a performance rider we include in the contract, others have minimal requirements.
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    Yes, many keynote speakers offer customization options for their presentations. They can tailor their content, examples, or case studies to align with your event's theme, industry, or specific audience. Discuss your customization needs with us so we can guide you accordingly.
  • Can the speaker participate in pre-event activities such as panel discussions or Q&A sessions?
    Some keynote speakers are open to participating in pre-event activities such as panel discussions, Q&A sessions, or meet-and-greet sessions. Please share your specific requirements with us during the firm offer phase, so we can work on getting you everything you need.
  • How long is a typical keynote speech?
    The duration of a standard keynote speech can vary depending on the speaker and the event's schedule. Typically, keynote speeches range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, including any Q&A sessions or interactive elements. Some speakers can accommodate half or full day sessions and extended keynotes. Discuss the desired duration with your representative to determine the appropriate length for participation.
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  • Are there any discounts or special offers available for booking multiple speakers or multiple events?
    Often, yes. It's worth inquiring about such possibilities with your Key Speakers representative to explore any available cost-savings options.
  • Why book Salim Ismail through Key Speakers?
    We provide a comprehensive service that takes the guesswork out of hiring a speaker — from speaker selection to logistics to post-event feedback. We know you have lots of responsibilities on top of finding and coordinating event speakers, so having a committed and proactive partner on your side that is an expert with the talent booking process is crucial. Every time you book a speaker with Key, your dedicated events manager will support you throughout the entire planning process. We help you negotiate contractual details such as speaker fees and travel terms so that you end up with the most favorable deal. With our highly communicative booking and proposal model, you'll never be left in the dark with the status of your speaker. To put it simply, Key Speakers is your one-stop resource for finding, booking and managing speakers for your event.

Speakers Like Salim Ismail

Peter Diamandis, MD

Peter Diamandis, MD

Peter Diamandis, MD is the Chairman and CEO of the X PRIZE Foundation, which leads the world in designing and launching large incentive prizes to drive radical breakthroughs for the benefit of humanity. Diamandis is also an international leader in the commercial space arena, having founded and run many of the leading entrepreneurial companies in this sector. In his keynote presentations, Diamandis focuses on the importance of innovation and he looks to the future in explaining how exponentially advancing technologies will transform our companies, our industries, our governments and our lives over the next 5 to 10 years. Dr. Diamandis is the co-Author of the NYTimes #1 best-seller LIFE FORCE.


Fee Range: $60,000–$95,000
Travels From: CA

Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh

Mike Walsh is the CEO of Tomorrow, a global consultancy on designing business for the 21st century. He advises leaders on how to thrive in this era of disruptive technological change. Rather than focusing on the distant future, Mike focuses on the next five years – scanning the near horizon for disruptive technologies and consumer innovations on the verge of hitting critical mass – then translating these into usable business strategies. As a global nomad, speaker and consumer trend scout, Walsh brings a truly global perspective to every event.


Fee Range: $30,000–$40,000
Travels From: NY

Scott Galloway

Scott Galloway

Engagements range from intimate fireside chats to global audiences of 10,000 marketers and business leaders. Prof. Galloway has sat on the boards of Gateway Computer, Urban Outfitters, Eddie Bauer, The New York Times Company, University of California Berkeley, Panera Bread, and Ledger, a crypto wallet. He is the CNN+ host of a business and technology show, No Mercy No Malice.


Fee Range: $100,000–$250,000
Travels From: Intl

Linda Bernardi

Linda Bernardi


Fee Range: $37,000–$63,000
Travels From: WA

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