Daniel Gilbert
Edgar Pierce Professor of Psychology at Harvard | Bestselling Author of Stumbling on Happiness | Award-Winning TED Speaker
Suneel Gupta
Bestselling Author of Backable & Everyday Dharma | Harvard Medical School Visiting Scholar | Founding CEO of RISE | Resilience & Innovation Expert
Suneel Gupta went from being labeled the "Face of Failure" by the New York Times to founding a wellness platform acquired by Amazon and writing two international bestsellers studied at Harvard. As a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Medical School and one of the most highly rated speakers on resilience and innovation, he gives organizations a science-backed, deeply human alternative to burnout culture.
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Suneel Gupta biography
Suneel Gupta’s story begins not with a success, but with two consecutive failures. After watching his early ventures collapse — and earning the unenviable distinction of being called the “Face of Failure” by the New York Times — Gupta made a decision that would reshape everything: instead of studying what successful people had achieved, he would study how they thought. That shift launched one of the most distinctive careers in modern entrepreneurship, innovation, and human performance.
As a motivational speaker, Suneel Gupta draws on a remarkable arc from failed founder to healthcare pioneer, bestselling author, and Harvard scholar. He went on to found RISE, a breakthrough digital health and wellness platform that partnered with then–First Lady Michelle Obama on national nutrition initiatives, was named App of the Year by Apple, and was ultimately acquired by One Medical (NASDAQ: ONEM) — now part of Amazon — expanding its reach across the digital health ecosystem. The New York Stock Exchange magazine named him the “New Face of Innovation.”
His first book, Backable (2020), became an international bestseller translated into nine languages. It crystallized his core insight: the people who change the world are not always the most talented or connected — they are the most backable. They possess a learnable set of habits and mindset shifts that cause investors, executives, and teams to take a chance on them. The book drew from hundreds of conversations with Oscar-winning filmmakers, members of Congress, venture capitalists, and founders of unicorn companies, and was backed by firms including Greylock Partners and Google Ventures. His follow-up, Everyday Dharma, went deeper — exploring why high-pressure performers burn out while others find sustainable momentum, weaving ancient wisdom with modern performance science into a practical framework for alignment between who you are and what you do.
Harvard, Bhutan, and the Science of Inner Performance
As a Visiting Scholar at Harvard Medical School, Gupta researches and teaches the connection between inner wellbeing and outer leadership effectiveness — the science behind why exhausted organizations cannot sustain innovation no matter how much they push. He also serves as an official emissary for Gross National Happiness between the United States and the Kingdom of Bhutan, bringing that philosophy’s emphasis on human flourishing into the corporate conversation.
His Business Class docuseries, created with American Express and winner of a 2023 Webby Award, streamed on Amazon Prime and featured icons including Martha Stewart, Jay Shetty, and Tom Colicchio. As an investor, he was among the earliest backers of Calm, Airbnb, Impossible Foods, 23andMe, and SpaceX.
As a speaker, Suneel Gupta consistently ranks among the highest-rated voices on burnout, resilience, innovation, and the future of work. Audiences across organizations like Walgreens, Dow Jones, and HARMAN International describe his sessions as rare: intellectually rigorous, deeply human, and immediately actionable. He meets organizations where they are — overwhelmed, overstretched, and in need of a better model — and delivers one.
Suneel Gupta Speaking Videos
The Kahani Movement: Suneel Gupta at TEDxSanDiego 2011
SUNEEL GUPTA: The Science Behind Tiny Breaks
Suneel Gupta Keynote Topics
Based on his international bestseller, this keynote reveals the learnable quality that separates people whose ideas gain traction from those that don't. Drawing on research with venture capitalists, filmmakers, military leaders, and Fortune 500 executives, Gupta delivers a practical, story-driven playbook for pitching new ideas, driving internal change, and winning the support needed to move big things forward — at any level of an organization.
Most high performers operate in a permanent state of misalignment — productive on paper, depleted in practice. This keynote draws from Gupta's second book and his research at Harvard Medical School to explore the ancient concept of Dharma as a modern performance tool: a framework for reconnecting daily work to deeper purpose, sustaining energy over the long term, and producing the kind of output that only comes from people who genuinely love what they're doing.
Organizations don't fail because they run out of time or talent — they fail because they run out of energy. This research-backed session reframes the burnout crisis not as a personal failing but as a systemic design flaw, and offers leaders concrete tools for restructuring how their teams work, recover, and sustain creative output over time. Built on Gupta's decade of study into the habits of the world's most resilient high performers.
Gupta was called the "Face of Failure" before he became the "New Face of Innovation." This session traces that transformation through the specific mental habits that allowed him to keep going, rebuild, and ultimately create something that lasted. It is a masterclass in entrepreneurial thinking for internal leaders — how to navigate rejection, sustain conviction, and push ideas forward inside organizations that are resistant to change.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Suneel Gupta
Why Suneel Gupta?
Booking Suneel Gupta means bringing in one of the most consistently highest-rated speakers on resilience, innovation, and sustainable peak performance available today. What sets him apart from other voices in this space is the unusual combination of scientific rigor and personal credibility: he is a Harvard Medical School visiting scholar who has studied the work habits of top performers, and a twice-failed entrepreneur who rebuilt from scratch to lead two IPOs, pioneer a wellness platform acquired by Amazon, and write two international bestsellers. His talks are not motivational abstractions — they are research-backed, story-rich, and built for organizations that are serious about performance without burnout. Clients including Walgreens, Dow Jones, and HARMAN International have consistently described his sessions as among the best they have ever experienced. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to check Suneel Gupta's availability for your next event.
What is Suneel Gupta's book Backable about?
Backable (2020) explores the surprising quality that separates people who get their ideas funded, championed, and acted upon from those who don't — and argues that it has almost nothing to do with charisma, credentials, or connections. Through interviews with Oscar-winning filmmakers, venture capitalists, members of Congress, military leaders, and unicorn founders, Gupta identifies a learnable set of mindset shifts and habits that make people extraordinarily persuasive in moments that matter. The book became an international bestseller translated into nine languages and has been used by organizations around the world to develop more confident, influential, and innovative leaders.
What is Suneel Gupta's background in healthcare and entrepreneurship?
Suneel Gupta is the founding CEO of RISE, a digital health and wellness platform that personalized physical and mental health journeys through certified nutritionists and trainers at accessible price points. Under his leadership, RISE was named App of the Year by Apple, partnered with the Obama White House on national nutrition initiatives, and was acquired by One Medical (NASDAQ: ONEM) — now part of Amazon. He also co-led two separate IPOs and was named the "New Face of Innovation" by the New York Stock Exchange. Earlier in his career he was among the first investors in Calm, as well as an early backer of Airbnb, SpaceX, Impossible Foods, and 23andMe.
What topics does motivational speaker Suneel Gupta cover?
Suneel Gupta speaks on building organizational resilience and preventing burnout, the science of sustainable peak performance, how to become "backable" — winning support for ideas and leading change from within — innovation habits, the future of work, and aligning personal purpose with professional output. His sessions are especially relevant for HR leaders, innovation teams, executive audiences, and organizations going through transformation or facing engagement and retention challenges. Reach out to Aurum Speakers Bureau to discuss how Suneel Gupta's keynote can be tailored to your audience's specific needs.
How to book Suneel Gupta as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Suneel Gupta as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Suneel Gupta'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 Suneel Gupta or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Suneel Gupta speaking fee?
Suneel Gupta 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 Suneel Gupta 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 Suneel Gupta.
How can I contact Suneel Gupta?
We only work with Suneel Gupta on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Suneel Gupta and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Suneel Gupta 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 Suneel Gupta for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Suneel Gupta for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Suneel Gupta is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Suneel Gupta for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
