Entrepreneurship & Business Growth Expert; Founder of Entrepreneurs' Organization; CEO at Scaling Up; Author of "Scaling Up"

Ashburn, VA, USA
Live Event: $50,000 - $100,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Verne Harnish Biography

Verne Harnish is recognized in the entrepreneurship and business growth sector as the founder of Entrepreneurs' Organization, which has expanded to more than 20,000 members globally. Harnish holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and an MBA from Wichita State University, where he also established and chaired the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs. He founded and chaired for 15 years the Entrepreneurs' Organization executive program called "Birthing of Giants," held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as the MIT/WEO Advanced Business Program for entrepreneurs over 40. Harnish is a Global Scaleup Fellow at The Entrepreneurship Center at Harvard.

As founder and CEO of Scaling Up, an executive education and business coaching company with more than 290 partners across six continents, Harnish has spent decades assisting companies with scaling strategies and leadership development. His books, which have sold more than 875,000 copies in 26 languages, have provided growth tools to over 102,000 firms. Named one of the "Top 10 Minds in Small Business" by Fortune Small Business Magazine, Harnish has appeared on the cover of the publication. He is also known as the "Growth Guy" columnist and a contributor to Fortune, where he shares expertise on leadership, business growth, and entrepreneurship.

Harnish is an author whose works are widely referenced by business leaders focused on scaling and strategy. He wrote "Mastering the Rockefeller Habits," authored "The Greatest Business Decisions of All Times" with a foreword by Jim Collins, and wrote "Scaling Up" (Rockefeller Habits 2.0), which has been translated into 26 languages and received eight international book awards, including the International Book Award for Best General Business book. His book "Start to Scale" addresses strategies for business expansion.

Harnish has appeared on national television and radio programs including Smart Money, CBS News, and Nation's Business Today, and has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Inc., and The Wall Street Journal. IndustryWired included Harnish in its Top Inspiring Business Leaders of the Year, recognizing leaders driving business transformation and effective decision-making. Additional honors include National Leader of the Year for Omicron Delta Kappa and the National Laureate Award for Leadership by Tau Beta Pi.

Harnish chairs the annual ScaleUp Summits and serves on several boards, including vice chair of The Riordan Clinic and co-founder and chair of Geoversity. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptability in business, advocating for leadership by "learn-it-alls" rather than "know-it-alls," a philosophy that resonates with entrepreneurs and executives worldwide.

BOOK Verne Harnish

Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 10/27/2026.

Verne Harnish Speaking Topics

  • "The Formula: The Unique Handful of Rules That Drive Your Business"

  • "Dominating Your Industry: The Four Critical Decisions"

Verne Harnish Videos

The Soul of Business: Finding Your Ethos w/ Verne Harnish

The Soul of Business: Finding Your Ethos w/ Verne Harnish

In this high-impact conversation, Scaling Up author and Entrepreneurs’ Organization founder Verne Harnish sits down with Mark Perkins to unpack the...

What it really takes to scale a business

What it really takes to scale a business

What does it really take to build a business that lasts? In this episode of CEO: Behind the Scenes, Verne Harnish, Founder and CEO of Scaling Up,...

  • How do I book Verne Harnish to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Verne Harnish

    Speaking fees for Verne Harnish, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fees to book Verne Harnish are $50,000 - $100,000 for live events and available upon request for virtual events. For the most current speaking fee to hire Verne Harnish, click the Check Availability button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
  • What topics does Verne Harnish speak about?

    Verne Harnish is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Author, Business, Business Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, Social Entrepreneurship, Technology
  • Where does Verne Harnish travel from?

    Verne Harnish generally travels from Ashburn, VA, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Verne Harnish is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as "The Formula: The Unique Handful of Rules That Drive Your Business" and "Dominating Your Industry: The Four Critical Decisions". The estimated speaking fee range to book Verne Harnish for your event is $50,000 - $100,000. Verne Harnish generally travels from Ashburn, VA, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Josh Linkner, Erik Qualman, Amy Jo Martin, Mike Walsh and Daymond John. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Verne Harnish for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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