Astro Teller
Transform innovation culture with Astro Teller, speaker and CEO of X (Alphabet's moonshot factory). Astro helps organizations develop breakthrough technologies and foster moonshot thinking, recognized among Wired's Top 25 Most Influential Innovators and recipient of the Edison Achievement Award.
.svg){kind=small}
Astro’s entrepreneurial journey spans multiple industries. Prior to his time at X, he co-created several companies, including BodyMedia, a wearable body monitoring company, and Cerebellum Capital, a hedge fund firm leveraging machine learning for investment decisions. He also founded Zivio Technologies and Sandbox Advanced Development, both focused on cutting-edge technology and business innovation.
In addition to his executive roles, Astro is a prolific writer and speaker. His early academic career included teaching at Stanford University and conducting engineering research at leading technology organisations. His first novel, Exegesis, was published by Random House in 1997, followed by Among These Savage Thoughts and several thought-provoking op-eds and journal articles.
Astro’s expertise has earned him numerous accolades, including being named one of the Top 25 Most Influential Innovators by Wired and receiving the prestigious Edison Achievement Award. He continues to contribute to global conversations on innovation, creativity, and intelligent technologies, sharing his insights at conferences, universities, and in media outlets worldwide.
Topics, Sessions And Talks
Astro Teller explores the practicalities behind transforming ambitious ideas into reality at X. He addresses the challenges faced by visionary projects as they move from concept to execution and how they are accelerated through iterative learning. Drawing on his vast experience, Astro offers a unique perspective on the principles and processes that enable moonshots to thrive in the unpredictable real world.
In this session, Astro Teller delves into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its transformative potential. He examines the promises and challenges of AI technologies, offering a forward-thinking approach to understanding their societal and economic impact. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how AI is reshaping industries and how organisations can harness its power responsibly.
Astro shares practical advice on how to embark on the journey of launching a bold, transformative idea. Drawing from his entrepreneurial ventures, he discusses the importance of identifying problems worth solving and how to cultivate the right mindset and environment for innovation. His insights are especially valuable for those looking to scale ambitious projects in a complex, fast-paced world.
Astro offers an in-depth look at the mindset needed for successful entrepreneurship in the innovation space. He reveals how embracing failure and identifying critical flaws early on can set the stage for world-changing breakthroughs. With a focus on fostering a culture of risk-taking and learning, this session provides a roadmap for turning visionary ideas into impactful ventures.
Astro explores the keys to fostering a culture of innovation within organisations. He draws from his experience leading X and other ventures to share actionable strategies for cultivating creative thinking, risk-taking, and collaboration. Participants will gain practical tools for driving continuous innovation while navigating the inherent challenges of larger organisations.
Featured Projects
.svg)
Book
.svg)
.svg)
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about booking an expert speaker, facilitator, host or entertainment for your event.
- If you'd like to book one of our expert speakers, email us at hello@peptalk.com, send us a chat message or give us a call, and we’ll help you out.
- We’ll take your event details — topic, audience, budget, date, and location — and create a custom speaker proposal for you within 48 hours.
- If you already have someone in mind, that’s okay too; just let us know their name! Even if they aren't listed publicly on our website, we have a huge network and work with almost everyone.
- Once you've reviewed our speaker propsal and have selected and expert shortlist, we'll double check availability and fees with your chosen expert.
- You're welcome to have a chemistry call with the speaker before making the final decision, too.
- Next, we'll send out contracts to confirm the booking. One of our experienced event producers will liase with both you and the talent on the finer details, and arrange travel if necessary, taking the stress off your plate.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. We work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
We do not accommodate requests for birthday messages or any other personal, non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.
We work with speakers across a variety of fee ranges, giving you the flexibility to choose someone who fits your event's needs. Virtual keynote fees in the UK and Europe typically start at £2,000, while in-person top-tier speakers can reach £25,000. In the US, virtual in-person fees range from $5,000 to over $100,000, depending on the speaker and format, such as after-dinner talks, conference keynotes, Q&As, or podcasts. Comedians generally start at £1,500 or $2,000 for a 20-minute set.
Our goal is to help you find the speaker who best matches your event’s goals and budget. We take the time to understand your event, objectives, and audience to recommend the right fit. The most expensive option isn’t always the best one, and our priority is finding the ideal speaker or expert for your needs; not the highest-priced one.
Reach out for personalised recommendations and detailed information on specific speaker fees. We’re here to offer a tailored service and are always happy to discuss your unique requirements!
There’s no additional cost for our services beyond the speaker fee — simply contact us to find the right speaker for your next business or team event. We can also work with your corporate procurement team to negotiate favourable long-term rates, simply email hello@getapeptalk.com for more information.
Partnering with PepTalk means elevating your events with our curated roster of top motivational speakers, industry experts, delivering punchy keynotes that leave a lasting impact. From talent selection, to contracts and logistics, we handle it all. We have global expert network, with over 3000 speakers from over 33 countries on our line-up.
We also provide a full range of talent, from event hosts and moderators to interviewers and corporate entertainment, ensuring your event’s success from start to finish.
PepTalk workshops are interactive learning experiences for leaders at all levels, blending theory with practical insights from industry experts. These programs, led by experienced facilitators, are designed to drive real mindset changes and equip participants with actionable skills. Workshops can be customised to meet your organisation's specific needs. Explore our workshop examples and contact us today to learn how your team can benefit.
If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, feel free to email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.