Entrepreneurship is about vision, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of innovation. The best entrepreneur speakers don’t just talk about success—they’ve lived it, having built, scaled, and transformed businesses across industries. Whether you’re looking to inspire your team, fuel creative thinking, or gain practical insights on navigating the ever-changing business landscape, these speakers bring invaluable expertise.
From bestselling authors and marketing pioneers to industry disruptors and high-performance leaders, each of these keynote speakers offers a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed in today’s fast-moving world. Their stories of perseverance, bold decision-making, and game-changing strategies will leave audiences energized and ready to take action.
Top Entrepreneur Speakers of 2025
Barbara Corcoran
Barbara Corcoran is a self-made businesswoman, investor, and bestselling author who transformed a $1,000 loan into a billion-dollar real estate empire. Best known as a star on ABC’s Shark Tank, she has invested in and mentored countless entrepreneurs, helping them scale their businesses with smart strategy and bold decision-making. Corcoran is a sought-after keynote speaker who shares invaluable lessons on resilience, leadership, and brand-building. Her presentations blend humor, real-world experience, and actionable insights to inspire business owners to take risks and think big. Whether discussing marketing, negotiation, or bouncing back from failure, Corcoran’s advice is both practical and powerful.
Julie Wainwright
Julie Wainwright is a pioneering entrepreneur who transformed the luxury resale industry as the founder of The RealReal, a billion-dollar e-commerce company. Her success stems from an unshakable vision and the ability to disrupt traditional retail by embracing technology and sustainability. Before launching The RealReal, she led multiple tech companies, gaining firsthand experience in resilience, reinvention, and business leadership. Wainwright speaks passionately about overcoming adversity, including steering companies through challenging times and personal setbacks. Her insights help aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders embrace innovation and turn bold ideas into reality.
Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk, better known as “Gary Vee,” is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and one of the most influential voices in digital marketing and branding. As the CEO of VaynerMedia, he has helped Fortune 500 companies dominate the social media landscape, leveraging emerging trends to drive business growth. A dynamic speaker, Vaynerchuk captivates audiences with his unfiltered energy and deep understanding of consumer behavior. His keynotes emphasize personal branding, storytelling, and the importance of adapting to technological changes. Entrepreneurs, marketers, and business leaders turn to Gary Vee for no-nonsense advice on achieving long-term success in today’s digital-first world.
Jesse Itzler
Jesse Itzler is a serial entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and bestselling author known for his unconventional approach to business and life. He co-founded Marquis Jet, one of the largest private jet card companies, and helped pioneer the coconut water industry by launching ZICO, later acquired by The Coca-Cola Company. A firm believer in pushing limits, he once hired a Navy SEAL to train him for a month, an experience that led to his book Living with a SEAL. As a keynote speaker, Itzler brings boundless energy and a fresh perspective on resilience, entrepreneurship, and building a winning mindset. His talks inspire audiences to break out of their comfort zones and redefine success.
Alex Banayan
Alex Banayan is a bestselling author and one of the most in-demand speakers on perseverance and opportunity-seeking. His book, The Third Door, chronicles his seven-year quest to uncover the secrets of success from figures like Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, and Lady Gaga. Banayan’s storytelling ability and research-backed insights make him an exceptional speaker for organizations looking to inspire innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. He shares powerful lessons on how anyone—regardless of background—can find their way into industries, networks, and opportunities typically thought to be out of reach. His keynotes are an electrifying blend of inspiration, humor, and actionable takeaways.
Seth Godin
Seth Godin is a marketing visionary, entrepreneur, and 20-time bestselling author known for his groundbreaking work in branding, leadership, and creativity. Inducted into both the Direct Marketing Hall of Fame and the Marketing Hall of Fame, he has redefined how businesses connect with their audiences. Godin’s keynotes challenge conventional thinking and encourage leaders to build remarkable products and services that stand out in a crowded marketplace. His engaging storytelling and data-driven insights empower businesses to embrace authenticity, tell compelling stories, and develop customer loyalty. For anyone looking to spark innovation in marketing and entrepreneurship, Godin delivers transformative ideas that drive action.
Leslie Maxie
Leslie Maxie is a former Olympian, broadcast journalist, and entrepreneur who brings a unique perspective on peak performance and resilience. Competing in the 1988 Olympic Games taught her invaluable lessons about discipline, determination, and overcoming obstacles—skills she has since translated into the world of business. As a sought-after keynote speaker, Maxie delivers powerful insights on leadership, mental toughness, and achieving high performance under pressure. As one of our top entrepreneur speakers, she empowers audiences to break through limitations and reach their full potential.
Steve Farber
Steve Farber is a renowned leadership expert and bestselling author whose work focuses on radical innovation and extreme leadership. Recognized as one of Inc.’s global Top 50 Leadership and Management Experts, Farber has worked with some of the world’s biggest organizations to instill a culture of passion, integrity, and purpose-driven leadership. His keynotes inspire entrepreneurs and business leaders to take bold actions, embrace change, and lead with authenticity. With a dynamic speaking style and real-world case studies, he challenges audiences to rethink traditional leadership models and create lasting impact in their industries.
Lakshmi Gopalkrishnan
Lakshmi Gopalkrishnan is a Fortune 5 technology veteran, leadership coach, and keynote speaker specializing in high-performance workplace cultures. With decades of experience in corporate strategy and executive leadership, she helps organizations balance business growth with employee engagement. Her talks provide actionable strategies on navigating corporate change, empowering teams, and leveraging innovation for sustainable success. Whether addressing a room of entrepreneurs or senior executives, Gopalkrishnan’s insights help leaders cultivate resilience and adaptability in today’s fast-evolving business landscape.
Kathleen King
Kathleen King is the founder and former CEO of Tate’s Bake Shop, a renowned brand celebrated for its signature crispy cookies and artisanal baked goods. Her entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, selling homemade cookies at her family’s farm stand, which she transformed into a multimillion-dollar enterprise. King’s story exemplifies resilience and determination; after facing business setbacks, she launched Tate’s Bake Shop, which she eventually sold for $100 million, with the brand later being valued at $500 million. Today, King is a sought-after keynote speaker, sharing her experiences in business ownership, the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and her commitment to “paying it forward” by investing in other devoted small business owners.mollieplotkingroup.com
Shola Richards
Shola Richards is a workplace civility expert, author, and entrepreneur dedicated to transforming workplace cultures. As the founder of Go Together Global, he helps organizations create environments of respect, collaboration, and psychological safety. His high-energy keynotes explore the intersection of leadership, mental well-being, and employee engagement. Drawing from personal experiences and research-backed strategies, Richards equips audiences with the tools to build resilient, people-focused organizations. His message resonates with leaders looking to drive innovation by fostering inclusive and supportive workplaces.
Sekou Andrews
Sekou Andrews is an award-winning spoken word artist, entrepreneur, and creator of the “Poetic Voice” performance style that blends poetry and keynote speaking. His unique approach captivates audiences by combining art, business insights, and motivational storytelling. Andrews has worked with Fortune 500 companies and global organizations to deliver high-impact speeches that inspire creativity, leadership, and breakthrough thinking. His electrifying stage presence and thought-provoking narratives make him a standout among entrepreneur speakers.
Suneel Gupta
Suneel Gupta is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and expert on innovation, leadership, and resilience. As the co-founder of Rise, a breakthrough health and wellness startup acquired by One Medical, Gupta has firsthand experience in building a successful business from the ground up. His journey—from being rejected by investors to creating a company that transformed the healthcare industry—offers invaluable lessons on persistence, adaptability, and finding success in uncertainty.
A dynamic keynote speaker, Gupta draws on his research in performance science and storytelling to help individuals and organizations unlock their creative potential. His book, Backable, was praised by thought leaders like Sheryl Sandberg and became a Wall Street Journal bestseller, offering a blueprint for turning ideas into reality. Through his engaging and practical insights, Gupta inspires audiences to push beyond rejection, take bold risks, and bring their most ambitious ideas to life.
AK Ikwuakor
AK Ikwuakor is a former elite athlete, Google Master Faculty Trainer, and founder of LeadLyft, a company dedicated to unlocking human potential. His diverse background in athletics, corporate training, and entrepreneurship makes him a dynamic speaker on leadership, motivation, and performance. Ikwuakor’s engaging keynotes empower professionals to push beyond limits, embrace discomfort, and develop a high-performance mindset. His real-world experiences provide relatable and actionable strategies for teams and organizations striving for excellence.
Chris Barton
Chris Barton is the founder of Shazam, the revolutionary app that changed the way we discover music and paved the way for modern AI-driven audio recognition. His vision for Shazam began long before smartphones existed, requiring him to develop groundbreaking technology that could identify songs with just a few seconds of audio. Despite early skepticism from investors and numerous challenges in building the company, Barton’s perseverance turned Shazam into a global success, ultimately leading to its acquisition by Apple for $400 million.
As a keynote speaker, Barton shares his journey of innovation, resilience, and creative problem-solving. He provides audiences with insights on how to think differently, disrupt industries, and push through obstacles to bring big ideas to life. With an infectious passion for technology and entrepreneurship, Barton inspires individuals and organizations to embrace bold thinking and transform their industries through innovation.
How to Book the Best Entrepreneur Speakers for Your Event
The right keynote speaker can spark innovation, challenge conventional thinking, and provide actionable strategies that drive success. Whether you’re hosting a corporate conference, leadership summit, or startup event, finding the perfect speaker is key to delivering an unforgettable experience.
At the Mollie Plotkin Group, we specialize in connecting organizations with world-class speakers who inspire, educate, and motivate. Let us help you find the ideal entrepreneur speaker to elevate your next event.
