David Rowan is today’s leading speaker on how emerging technologies will impact business and how leaders should prepare now. As the founding UK Editor-in-Chief of WIRED magazine, he gained unparalleled access to the founders of tech giants like WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Spotify. His expertise is a rare synthesis of editorial insight, deep investment knowledge, and strategic consulting, focused on translating technological disruption into pragmatic strategies for future-proofing organizations.
Rowan’s influence is substantial in both the media and investment communities. He has given over 700 keynotes globally and moderated events for the World Economic Forum and major governments, leveraging his role at WIRED to build a conference and consulting business. He is an active investor in more than 180 early-stage tech companies, running venture funds that specifically target health-tech and climate-tech, ensuring his analysis is grounded in the reality of commercialized innovation.
His bestselling book, Non-Bullshit Innovation: 17 Proven Ways To Transform How You Work, is the result of a 20-country quest to identify genuine innovation in the face of disruption. The book sets out practical strategies—from "Turn products into services" to "Build an ecosystem"—that organizations can use immediately. This focus on action over hype makes his counsel invaluable to executives across all sectors. As a dynamic speaker, Rowan deconstructs tech trends and unpacks how major innovations, such as AI, quantum computing, and autonomous vehicles, are changing business models and consumer behavior. His presentations, which include topics like Why This IS AI’s “Netscape Moment” and Why Purpose Plus Profit Is The New Mantra, are always customized and designed to inspire leaders to use technology-led innovation not just to protect their businesses, but to build prosperity through turbulent times.
