About David

David S. Kidder

Known For His Radical Candor, David Helps Leaders See What Is True, Build Systems That Unlock It, And Turn Volatility Into Focus, Velocity, And Resilient Growth.

David Kidder is a two time New York Times bestselling author, four time founder, and super-angel investor in more than 150 ventures. A keynote speaker and coach to many of today’s leading startups and Fortune 500 enterprises, he brings a front row view of the patterns of growth, resilience, and reinvention that define enduring success. Over the course of his career, he has built and taught systems that help leaders and organizations grow through disruption. Known for his clarity, candor, and conviction, David has become one of the most trusted voices on resilient growth.

He is the best-selling author of The Startup Playbook and New to Big, which introduced the systems and mindsets behind entrepreneurial growth inside the enterprise. His work has been recognized by leading thinkers including Adam Grant and the late Clay Christensen and has influenced founders and investors such as Marc Andreessen. His books have sold more than one million copies across 18 languages and shape how a generation of leaders build and scale what’s next.

Most recently, as co-founder and former CEO of Bionic and the GrowthOS, David bootstrapped the company to $30 million in annual revenue and led its acquisition by Accenture Song in 2021, scaling the GrowthOS into one of Accenture’s most successful integrations to date. David continues to partner directly with CEOs and leadership teams at Fortune 500 companies including Nike, Procter and Gamble, Citi, and Microsoft to reinvent how organizations grow.

Currently, David is focused on closing the gap between how fast the world moves and how slowly most organizations adapt. His newest venture The Board of Life helps leaders confront truth with courage, align conviction with execution, and build the capacity to grow no matter the conditions. Especially urgent in the age of AI, his work unlocks organizational velocity required to compete.

With over one million books in print in 18 languages, David’s work has shaped a generation of leaders. His forthcoming titles The Board of Life (2026) and The Power of the Premortem (2027) extend that mission. Event organizers consistently praise his ability to deliver both clarity and courage: practical systems that leaders can apply immediately, delivered through unforgettable stories of what it really takes to grow.

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David Kidder's Impact

Thousands of leaders have engaged with David to unlock transformational growth

David Kidder is the unique human you always want in your corner, personally and professionally. His experience as an entrepreneur is peerless and his insights to successfully grow a business are priceless. There is no one I quote more often professionally and trust more personally.

Linda Boff

CEO, Said Differently

Deploying David Kidder’s Growth Operating system at Citi was a game changer. His powerful and compelling case for change hit home. Our leaders stepped into the urgent need to learn new skills and new ways of working in order to bring relevant new products and services to our customers.

Debra Hopkins

Former CEO of Citi

Once a big company makes the decision to grow, it has to learn how. New to Big presents a unique roadmap for big companies looking to spark powerful growth engines from within.

Clayton Christensen

Harvard Business School and bestselling author of The Innovator’s Dilemma

The lessons of Kidder's book are simple. They did it and you can too. No magic tricks, no special genetic advantage, just passion, persistence, good sense, and a little luck

Seth Godin

Founder + Author (This is Strategy)

Kidder’s Startup Playbook is a one-inch punch of the start-up experience—a raw insider’s guide to the real playbooks behind some of tech’s greatest successes and comebacks.

Marc Andreessen

Cofounder and General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz

David Kidder and his team at Bionic offer innovative and powerful ways for legacy companies to create entirely new legacies.

Pauline Brown

Former Chairperson, LVMH NA

With passion and unbridled candor, David and Bionic team deliver not just the “Growth Operating System tools” but the ability to spark a new way of thinking among ‘co-founders’ and provoking large Enterprises to do things very differently.

Jud Linville

CEO, Citi Cards, Citi

Working with David Kidder and the Bionic team gives teams the energy, tools, and, most importantly, the courage to innovate and scale new growth.

Beth Comstock

Former Vice Chair, GE

David Kidder understands like nobody else what makes start-ups successful and how big companies can learn from them. If entrepreneurship is a new form of management, David is the Michael Porter of our era!

Pedro Earp

Chief Marketing and ZX Ventures Officer

New To Big is a great how-to book for change leaders seeking to drive scalable, profitable growth in big companies, reminding us how to use deep questioning, masterful listening, and a learning culture to discover the ‘commercial truth’!

Kate Johnson

CEO, Lumen Technologies

Frequently Asked Questions

What does David speak about? +

David’s keynotes and executive sessions center on resilient growth, adaptive leadership, and operating systems for change. He helps leaders and organizations build the capacity to grow through disruption — turning volatility into clarity, speed, and results that last.

Who is David's work best suited for? +

David works directly with CEOs, executive teams, and enterprise leaders responsible for driving transformation, innovation, and growth. His systems have been adopted across Fortune 500 companies, private-equity portfolios, and high-growth ventures seeking alignment between purpose, strategy, and execution.

What makes David's approach different? +

His work is built on scar-tissue wisdom — drawn from two decades of founding, scaling, investing, and advising. Rather than theory, David teaches systems proven inside real companies that make truth operational and growth measurable.

What can audiences expect from a session with David? +

Expect clarity, conviction, and tools that can be applied immediately. David’s sessions blend practical frameworks with powerful stories that challenge assumptions, reset priorities, and accelerate momentum. Leaders leave with sharper focus and renewed energy to act.

Does David customize each engagement? +

Yes. Every keynote or workshop is tailored to the client’s strategy, challenges, and goals. David works closely with event organizers and executive sponsors to ensure the experience drives measurable value — not just inspiration.

How can we book David for a keynote or engagement? +

For inquiries or speaking requests, contact: grace@kidder.net

David Builds Systems
That Turn Disruption
Into Resilient Growth.

David S. Kidder

Known For His Radical Candor, David Helps Leaders See What Is True, Build Systems That Unlock It, And Turn Volatility Into Focus, Velocity, And Resilient Growth.

David’s Work Helps Leaders And Organizations Build The Systems That Turn Disruption Into Growth.