Dave Berkus, keynote speaker and tech oracle

Dave Berkus accepts a limited number of keynote speaking engagements each year.  He speaks with vast experience and deep insight about his involvement with small to medium company board and management issues, sharing great, epic stories about both good and bad entrepreneurial managers and their boards.  His insight into the technology trends that shape corporate growth are in demand for informing and aiding groups of all kinds and sizes in their planning for the future.  His presentations are often used as keynotes for conferences and as the kickoff for workshops for corporate management, boards and investor groups.

      Building A Board For Early Stage Companies  (Keynote or General Session)

"Dave Berkus was the best received speaker at the ACA conference where the hard-to-please angel investors are rarely excited. Comments such as “rock star”, “best speaker we have ever had”, and “right on the money” were just some of the overwhelmingly positive comments. Dave’s experience and expertise in the area of startup companies, angel investing, and boards, is rare. However, his ability to deliver rich concise impactful advice with a gift for speaking is unparalleled."  - Richard Sudek, Ph.D, Angel Capital Association  (ACA International Conference 2008)   

       'Building Effective Boards' Workshop  (Half Day Workshop Event)

"Our portfolio company CEO’s and their Directors effusively praised the takeaway value of your 'Building Effective Boards' workshop…a truly high impact event!"  - John Huston, Manager, Ohio TechAngels  (Berkus Ohio Board workshop, 2008)

"Thank you for a wonderful day of information, challenges and good examples.  I believe I can say without overstating the case that you have changed the way we think as an entrepreneurial community.  I was amazed at the level of the buzz, and  variety of the different 'Berkusisms' about which the buzz was buzzing!"    - Will Indest, Director, TechStart - TechColumbus   (Berkus angel capital workshop, 2008)

"I thought the presentation was outstanding - a unique opportunity to acquire practical skills. Dave is a model to follow. He has done a masterful job of distilling decades of experience and knowledge into something we can immediately apply to our own pursuits."    - Doug Moskowitz - Mid-America Angels  (Berkus Mid-America Angels Workshop, 2008)

"Dave Berkus' advice on extending the runway - as well as leveraging boards - was timely and effective. The technology entrepreneurs in our program came away with perspective, tools and vision to tackle the many challenges they now face during this economic downturn."    - Joni Cobb, President KTEC PIPELINE   (Berkus Kansas State KTEC entrepreneur's workshop, 2008) 

-  John Rehfield, Chairman, Forum for Corporate Directors  ("An Evening With Dave Berkus - 2008") "Extending The Runway - Building Great Companies Using Limited Resources" (Keynote or General Session)

       "We appreciate your sharing the benefit of your vast experience in an amazingly well-focused presentation. Your perspectives on the contrasts between start-ups and established public company boards were especially valuable and added a lot of relevance for the audience. Survey results were extremely high including a 4.9 out of 5 rating. One representative quote from the audience comments: ' The best presentation on board responsibilities that I have seen in a long time. No mind numbing pontification, just an informative straight forward presentation.' "                                

-  Andrew Wilkes, President, National Angel Capital Association (Canada)  ("Berkus evening dinner keynote at NAO Summit 2008")

-  Ulf Kluge, German Business Angels  (German Angels BAND Conference, Berlin, 2008) 

      "Ten Trends in Technology For These Tough Times" (Keynote or General Session)"

"Dave’s presentation on the “Top Tech Trends” is always one of the highlights of ABL’s year.  His Trend List – and reasons for each entry on it – is always fresh and insightful.  This year, delivered against a background of so much uncertainty in the economy and news of major lay-offs in the tech sector, hearing Dave’s predictions of which Trends will guide us through these Tough Times will be even more meaningful.  And, knowing how thoroughly Dave researches this subject, the information he’ll so compellingly convey will be even more vital to our Members’ success in 2009."  -  Mimi Grant, President, Adaptive Business Leaders  (Berkus' ABL Trends CEO Workshop)

"Dave has again succinctly captured the top 10 trends this year, and clearly articulated their implications for us. I'd cancel a key client meeting to hear him next year." - Bob Kelley, CEO ABL Organization (ABL Ten Trends CEO Workshop, 2008) 

“Every time Dave speaks at our conference, he brings new material, exciting insights, and a message that is both provocative and motivating.  He has a rare talent for identifying new trends and fundamental shifts in the market place.”    - Jane Kelly, Program Chair (Harvard Entrepreneurs Conference, Orange County, California 2008)

"Dave provided excellent content, prepared will in advance, and delivered a presentation that all levels of the audience could appreciate and understand.  From our audience: 'Very clear and informative! Great speech.' 'If you want to stay up with tech trends, it's a must to attend.' "- Frank Wolfe, CEO, HFTP Organization (HITEC keynote 2008)

"The Trust Customer Conference is attended by senior decision makers of our hotel group clients all around the globe. We are always looking for high profile guest speakers who can give additional value to the audience and allow them to step back a moment from the topics of everyday business and look at their market from a new perspective. Dave’s presentation and performance on ‘Ten Technology Trends’ fulfilled this in a great way and the audience was impressed by the exciting insights Dave provided.”

Contact Mr. Berkus directly at dberkus@berkus.com

     Dave Berkus, Keynote excerpt from HITEC  

       "I had the great pleasure to watch the inspiring lecture you gave during the German BAND meeting here in Berlin (Potsdam). Thank you so much for sharing your valuable experiences and insights with us all, as well as some of your easy to use methods."   

      "As Henry Vehovec, our founder, stated publicly, 'I have received my designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors and learned more in this one hour presentation than from my sessions at the ICD Corporate Governance College.'  Henry, others and I certainly appreciated your presentation. It was right on the mark."