SPEAKING
“I BELIEVE IN GIVING BACK TO THE TWO WORLDS I HAVE OCCUPIED FOR 35 YEARS”
Jothy Rosenberg, the originator of the Who Says I Can’t mindset, inspires corporate audiences and the entrepreneurial community with talks about how to grab and hold onto success.
From survivor to thriver to inspirer, Jothy has been through cancer, disability, and certain death—and not only survived but thrived.
He’s also been through the startup gauntlet, founding nine tech startups with all the trials and tribulations of one of the hardest things humans ever tackle. Through it all, Jothy has learned how to take what he’s learned the hard way and distill it down to its essence to benefit his audiences, whether educational, corporate, or entrepreneurial. Now, through his books, speaking, and podcasts, Jothy is truly giving back in a big way.
MEET THE
INCORRIGIBLE ENTREPRENEUR
Jothy Rosenberg has a PhD in Computer Science from Duke University, where he was also a CS professor for five years before transitioning into entrepreneurship. Over the past 35 years, he has founded 9 tech startups in areas ranging from parallel supercomputers to cybersecurity to internet infrastructure. He had two $100+ million successful exits but learned the most from his mistakes at the 7 startups that either failed or had a sale with no return.
The grit he needed to be an incorrigible entrepreneur came from losing his leg and lung by the age of 19 and fighting back after being told he had zero chance of survival. To help others dealing with such challenges, he wrote Who Says I Can’t.
Now, after having success and failures as a startup founder—and realizing a guide could have saved several startups—Jothy wrote the book he wished he'd had: Think Like a Tech Founder: Anecdotes of an Incorrigible Entrepreneur. In it, he documents the good, bad, and ugly lessons from his startup experiences.
With a desire to help others, Jothy now takes to the stage, offering guidance on the essence of grit no matter in what context one needs it.
A highly sought-after keynote speaker, Jothy has presented popular talks, including his TEDx Who Says I Can’t keynote, corporate keynotes to companies including ESPN, Netflix, Vertex Pharma, and the San Jose Sharks, as well as given dynamic presentations to kids centered around diversity and inclusion. He has written technical books, a children's book, his personal memoir, and now Think Like a Tech Founder.
If you seek someone to inspire your audience, whether educational, corporate, or entrepreneurial, Jothy would make a great addition to your next event.
“Jothy is the living, breathing definition of what it means to be ENABLED. And it’s not because of his disabilities. His message of perseverance and strength, particularly after life has knocked you down, motivated our diverse workforce and reminded them all that anything is possible.”
– Scott Pentoney, Media Assets Manager, ESPN
Keynote Topics
Who Says I Can’t
(45 to 60 Min Corporate Keynote)
There is no adult alive who has not seen setbacks, knock-downs, and adversity. Jothy’s just happened to be more extreme than most. It took him 35 years, but in his book, Who Says I Can’t, and in his talks, he was able to articulate a series of motivational messages about how to fight back and accomplish things you might think “you just can’t.” In 45 minutes, he conveys—in a poignant and sometimes funny way—a set of themes that people can understand, internalize, and use to get themselves going again. Whether in our careers or personal lives, when we get knocked down, we can lose motivation, self-confidence, and self-esteem. As Gloria Steinem said, “Self-esteem isn’t everything; it’s just that there is nothing without it.”
Think Like a Tech Founder: Anecdotes of an Incorrigible Entrepreneur
(60 Min Keynote)
Starting a successful tech startup is one of the most challenging things humans attempt, with 8 out of 10 failing. While popular entrepreneurship books glorify unicorns, for founders in the trenches, it can feel like they are in a maelstrom far from any dreams of unicorns. Without guidance on key early decisions, failure is likely.
Drawing on the experience of founding 9 startups over 35 years, including hard-won successes and mistakes, Jothy describes the 5 critical things founders must do right out of the gate, and tells powerful and impactful stories from real startups about what the consequences are of not getting those things done right and on time. With these fundamentals in place, your odds of success improve from 20 percent to 80 percent.
Think Like a Tech Founder Seminars
(30 to 45 Min)
For each of the five major milestones outlined in the keynote, a deep dive can be requested in a 30 to 45 minute seminar format. Each of these five milestones is critical to the startup’s success and must be accomplished in its first year of existence for a chance at being successful. These talks provide guidance on what to do and what not to do to achieve these milestones and start building a healthy, growing company.
The five subtopic talks keying off of the keynote are:
A big opportunity comes from finding a great market: How to find it
How to raise money quickly and provide the runway you need
No startup succeeds without product-market fit: How to prove it
How to build a whole company go-to-market strategy for growth
Culture: it’s not just foosball, it’s how to attract and retain the best
Where Startup Grit Comes From and How to Get It
Jothy has developed a theory about how grit comes from a triple-package of traits. This triple-package explains the outsized success of those with a physical disability. Jothy believes the startup founder has access to the same triple-package of traits, which is where entrepreneurial grit comes from. In this talk, Jothy will explain the link between what happens when one becomes disabled and when one founds a new company. Further, he will explain what one can do to turn this into grit, which is essential to success when faced with a tough situation.
“What impressed me the most is that Jothy’s story is one of motivation, not woe is me—of pursuing your passions, whoever you may be and whatever your circumstance. His passion for life is palpable, and his determination is interminable. We could all learn a lesson from Jothy.”
– Andy Levine, President/Founder Duvine Adventures
“The PMC coined the term Living Proof some 15 years ago. Nobody epitomizes that phrase, or our mission, better than Jothy Rosenberg. The challenges he has faced in his life have been hurdles, not walls, to leading a fulfilling life. In a world overflowing with hype and artifice, Jothy’s journey and triumph is real and inspirational. He is a true role model.”
— Billy Starr, Founder/Executive Director, Pan-Mass Challenge bike-a-thon
“Jothy's Who Says I Can't story is not just inspirational but also opens our minds to what it means to be differently abled. Through a series of compelling vignettes, Jothy gives a practical guide of how to be empathetic and inclusive. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a keynote speaker.”
— Jonathan Becher, President, San Jose Sharks
Contact Jothy to speak at your next organization or event
Currently, Jothy is only available to speak in the New England area.
Please fill out the form or email us with the following details:
The name of your organization
Approximate size of your audience
Your location
The dates you would like to book Jothy
What topics you would like him to present
Other appearances featuring Jothy and his story
One Man’s Defiance of Cancer
Interview with Jonathan Alter
Jonathan Alter, of Newsweek and The Today Show, and a cancer survivor himself, decided to join Jothy in doing the Pan-Mass Challenge bike-a-thon that supports Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. Jonathan rode the entire 192-mile ride with Jothy while telling his incredible story.
Two-time cancer survivor’s inspiring story
Interview with Sara Haines
TODAY’s Sara Haines reports on Jothy Rosenberg, a two-time cancer survivor, whose confidence and determination have led him to overcome obstacles and achieve what many people think could be the impossible.
