Founding UK Editor-in-Chief of WIRED, Event Moderator for the World Economic Forum & Founder of VOYAGERS.IO

David Rowan, founding UK Editor-in-Chief of WIRED, is a leading voice on technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He authored the Amazon number one bestseller ‘Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World’s Smartest Minds’ and hosts the Walks with Founders podcast, interviewing pioneering entrepreneurs. As an early-stage investor, he has backed more than 80 tech ventures, including Improbable, Grammarly, Unbabel, Maven Clinic, and Onfido. Rowan also manages the VOYAGERS Climate-Tech and Health-Tech Funds, supporting impactful start-ups tackling urgent global challenges. Renowned for spotting transformative ideas early, he bridges media, technology, and investment to champion groundbreaking solutions with real-world impact.

Credentials and Impact

David Rowan has made a profound impact on the AI and technology landscape, combining deep editorial expertise with hands-on investment and advisory roles. Beginning his career in technology journalism as editor of The Guardian, he went on to chronicle the rise of Silicon Valley’s most influential companies, profiling the founders of LinkedIn, Google and Twitter. His work for WIRED, The Times and GQ focused on the technology shaping the future, giving him a front-row seat to transformative innovation.

Leveraging this unique perspective, David has invested in and advised over 60 start-ups, two of which have achieved billion-dollar “unicorn” status, underscoring his ability to identify and back high-impact ventures. His influence extends further as an advisor to leading investment firms and innovation networks including Lakestar, Hotwire Global, Outsized Ventures, Berlin Founders Fund and Sigma Squared.

David is also a highly sought-after event moderator, bringing insight and clarity to discussions at premier global forums such as WIRED, the World Economic Forum, DLD, Founders Forum and GITEX. With a career spanning journalism, venture investment and strategic advisory, he has become a trusted authority in AI and emerging technologies, helping shape the conversation and the companies that define our digital future.

Publications and Media

Author of the Amazon number one bestseller ‘Non-Bullshit Innovation: Radical Ideas from the World’s Smartest Minds’, David is a figurehead in the world of AI and technology. He has shared his expertise as a technology columnist for GQ, Conde Nast Traveller, The Sunday Times and The Times, offering insightful perspectives on emerging innovations and their impact on business, culture and society.

Why Hire David Rowan?

David Rowan is a highly sought-after AI and technology speaker, having delivered over 600 keynote talks worldwide. Renowned for offering a comprehensive guide to how emerging technologies impact diverse sectors, he has provided transformative presentations for global brands including Coca-Cola, Facebook and HSBC. As a skilled moderator, he has worked with international governments, TED and the World Economic Forum.

David expertly deconstructs major tech trends such as artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles and quantum computing, showing businesses and consumers how to harness these innovations for growth. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, he empowers audiences to use technology-led strategies to build resilience and prosperity. His TEDx talk, DaretoInform, further reflects his commitment to making complex ideas accessible and actionable.

To book David to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.