Giorgio Parisi
Nobel Prize–Winning Physicist | Pioneer Of Complexity & Uncertainty | Global Science Keynote Speaker
Henk Rogers
Co-Founder & Chairman, The Tetris Company | Bestselling Author of The Perfect Game | Climate Advocate & Founder, Blue Planet Alliance | Sustainability & Innovation Speaker
Few entrepreneurs have shaped both the gaming industry and the fight against climate change as decisively as Henk Rogers. The visionary behind Tetris — one of the most downloaded games of all time — Rogers negotiated Cold War deals with the Soviet Union and Nintendo that redefined handheld gaming. Today, he channels that same boldness into ending fossil fuel dependence through the Blue Planet Alliance and pioneering sustainable settlements beyond Earth.
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Henk Rogers biography
Henk Rogers is a Dutch-born American entrepreneur, bestselling author, and climate advocate who turned a simple Soviet puzzle game into one of the most successful entertainment properties in history. Innovation speaker Henk Rogers first made his mark by creating Japan’s first major role-playing game, The Black Onyx, before discovering Tetris at the Consumer Electronics Show in 1988 — and recognizing its potential to captivate a global audience.
What followed was a high-stakes negotiation saga that took Rogers from Tokyo to Moscow at the height of the Cold War. He secured the worldwide console rights to Tetris from the Soviet government’s ELORG agency and struck a landmark deal with Nintendo, convincing its leadership that Tetris — not Mario — would make the Game Boy appeal to everyone. The gamble paid off spectacularly: Tetris became the Game Boy’s defining title and has since been downloaded over 520 million times across platforms, making it one of the best-selling games of all time. Rogers co-founded The Tetris Company with creator Alexey Pajitnov and today serves as its Chairman of the Board. His extraordinary journey inspired the Apple TV+ film Tetris (2023), starring Taron Egerton, and his memoir The Perfect Game: Tetris — From Russia With Love, featuring a foreword by Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.
From Gaming Pioneer to Climate Champion
A near-fatal heart attack in 2005 transformed Rogers’ mission. He founded the Blue Planet Foundation, which helped make Hawaii the first U.S. state to legislatively mandate 100% renewable energy by 2045. Recognizing the need to scale this model globally, he launched the Blue Planet Alliance, which works with island nations and communities worldwide to end their dependence on imported fossil fuels. He also founded Blue Planet Energy, a leading provider of lithium iron phosphate battery storage systems, and the International MoonBase Alliance, dedicated to building sustainable human settlements on the Moon and Mars.
As a speaker, Henk Rogers delivers keynotes that combine gripping Cold War storytelling with actionable frameworks for innovation, resilience, and sustainability. Senior audiences value his rare ability to connect lessons from high-stakes entrepreneurship with the urgent challenges of energy transition and planetary stewardship — making complex issues feel personal, achievable, and impossible to ignore.
Henk Rogers Speaking Videos
Henk Rogers - 100% Renewable Energy by 2045
Henk Rogers at Google | Celebrating Tetris 40th Anniversary
Henk Rogers Keynote Topics
The Apple TV+ film Tetris thrilled audiences worldwide — but the real story is even more extraordinary. In this riveting keynote, Henk Rogers recounts firsthand what it was like to walk into Soviet Moscow as a lone entrepreneur, face interrogation by government agents suspicious of his identity, and negotiate the deal that would bring the world's most addictive game to millions. He reveals the moments the movie got right, what it left out, and the behind-the-scenes decisions that turned a Cold War gamble into a multibillion-dollar cultural icon. Part espionage thriller, part entrepreneurial masterclass, this is the definitive account from the man who lived it — a story about trusting your instincts, betting everything on a handshake, and proving that one bold move can reshape an entire industry.
Rogers takes audiences behind the scenes of one of the most extraordinary deals in entertainment history — securing Tetris from the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. From navigating KGB surveillance to convincing Nintendo's leadership to bet on an unknown puzzle game, he shares the principles of bold negotiation, calculated risk-taking, and unwavering conviction that turned a simple game into a global phenomenon. Audiences leave with practical frameworks for recognizing transformative opportunities and acting on them decisively.
Drawing from his experience making Hawaii the first U.S. state to mandate 100% renewable energy, Rogers outlines a practical roadmap for communities, governments, and businesses to break free from fossil fuel dependence. He shares how the Blue Planet Alliance is helping island nations worldwide replicate Hawaii's success and explains the role of energy storage technology in making the transition viable at scale. This keynote equips leaders with a clear understanding of the policy, technology, and coalition-building required to drive a meaningful energy transition.
In this forward-looking keynote, Rogers connects his gaming philosophy — that Tetris endures because it is constructive, not destructive — with his vision for humanity's future. He explores how the same entrepreneurial mindset that built a gaming empire can be applied to solving climate change, advancing renewable energy storage, and establishing sustainable settlements beyond Earth. This talk challenges leaders to think across decades, not quarters, and to build systems that create lasting value for people and the planet.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Henk Rogers
Why Henk Rogers?
Booking Henk Rogers for your event means bringing one of the most compelling entrepreneurial storytellers alive to your stage. As co-founder and Chairman of The Tetris Company — the brand behind one of the most played games in history — Rogers offers firsthand lessons in bold negotiation, creative disruption, and building global IP from scratch. But what sets him apart is his second act: after a life-changing health crisis, he pivoted to tackling climate change with the same fearless determination that took him behind the Iron Curtain. His keynotes seamlessly bridge the worlds of gaming, innovation, clean energy, and space exploration, delivering insights that resonate with C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers alike. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to book Henk Rogers and inspire your audience with a story that is part Cold War thriller, part sustainability manifesto.
Is there a movie about Henk Rogers and Tetris?
Yes. The Apple TV+ film Tetris (2023), directed by Jon S. Baird and starring Taron Egerton as Henk Rogers, dramatizes the extraordinary true story of how Rogers secured the global rights to Tetris during the final years of the Cold War. The film premiered at SXSW and received positive reviews for its blend of political thriller and underdog entrepreneurship narrative. Rogers himself has noted that while the film captures the spirit of events, his memoir The Perfect Game: Tetris — From Russia With Love offers a more historically detailed account of what actually happened.
What is Henk Rogers doing for climate change?
Rogers is one of the leading advocates for ending the use of carbon-based fuels worldwide. He founded the Blue Planet Foundation, which helped make Hawaii the first U.S. state to mandate 100% renewable energy by 2045. He then launched the Blue Planet Alliance, a global nonprofit that works with island nations and communities to legislatively commit to full renewable energy transitions. He also founded Blue Planet Energy, which produces advanced lithium iron phosphate battery storage systems for homes and businesses. His sustainability work extends to space exploration through the International MoonBase Alliance, which develops technologies for sustainable off-Earth settlements.
What topics does speaker Henk Rogers cover in his keynotes?
Henk Rogers covers a range of high-impact topics including innovation and entrepreneurship, the Tetris story as a masterclass in negotiation and risk-taking, the global transition to renewable energy, sustainability strategy for businesses and governments, and the future of space colonization. His talks blend personal narrative with practical takeaways, making them especially effective for corporate events, leadership summits, and sustainability conferences. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to check availability and discuss how his keynotes can be tailored to your event.
How to book Henk Rogers as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Henk Rogers as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Henk Rogers's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Henk Rogers or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Henk Rogers speaking fee?
Henk Rogers speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Henk Rogers to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Henk Rogers.
How can I contact Henk Rogers?
We only work with Henk Rogers on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Henk Rogers and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Henk Rogers speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Henk Rogers for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Henk Rogers for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Henk Rogers is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Henk Rogers for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
