A pioneering designer and social entrepreneur, Charles Adler co-founded Kickstarter and helped turn it into the world’s leading platform for funding independent creative projects. He speaks on innovation, crowdfunding, design, and building collaborative environments for ambitious creators.... Read more
Charles Adler - Kickstarter
Ten Years Hence: Charles Adler, Founder, Kickstarter
Charles Adler, Co-founder of Kickstarter | Full Talk | amoCONF San Francisco 2018
Charles Adler is a social entrepreneur, designer, and co-founder and former Head of Design at Kickstarter, the ground-breaking crowdfunding platform for independent creative work. His career spans systems, interaction, communications and interface design, as well as information architecture, all focused on empowering creators and communities.
In 2009, Charles Adler co-founded Kickstarter and helped shape it into the world’s largest marketplace dedicated to funding independent creative endeavours. Since launch, Kickstarter has raised over $4 billion from more than 15 million people for over 150,000 successful projects, ranging from computer games and music albums to technology, fashion, education initiatives and full-length feature films.
As the Kickstarter phenomenon grew, Charles Adler became widely recognised as one of the digital era’s most innovative thinkers. In 2013, he was named by Forbes magazine as one of the “Top 12 Most Disruptive Figures in Business,” reflecting his influence on how ideas are financed, developed and brought to market.
Before Kickstarter, Charles Adler co-founded the online art publication Subsystence, a platform dedicated to using the web to provide global exposure for independent artists. He also co-founded Source-ID, where he served as Principal Creative Director from 2004 to 2009, working at the intersection of design, technology and user experience.
In 2015, Charles Adler launched Lost Arts, a new format of workspace for ambitious 21st-century creators. What began in a 4,000-square-foot former meat packing plant in Chicago grew into a 25,000-square-foot hub on Goose Island. Lost Arts has incubated projects ranging from AI-powered urban agriculture products and interactive public art installations to artisanal food ventures and experimental design concepts.
Today, Charles Adler travels worldwide to deliver keynotes, presentations, Q&As and workshops on crowdfunding, launching and scaling distinctive businesses, overcoming early-stage challenges, and the central role of design and usability in creating successful products and services.
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You can book Charles Adler through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Charles's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Charles Adler's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Charles tailored to your event.
Charles Adler speaks on Business & Management, Digital Trends, Entrepreneurs, Innovation & Creativity, Music & Art. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Charles to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Charles Adler for events worldwide, subject to Charles's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.
Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Charles Adler is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).
Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Charles can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Charles Adler on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Charles can offer.
Charles Adler delivers keynotes in English. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.
Charles Adler's areas of expertise include Business & Management, Digital Trends, Entrepreneurs, Innovation & Creativity, Music & Art. To get a clear sense of Charles's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.
Charles Adler can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Business & Management, Digital Trends, Entrepreneurs, Innovation & Creativity, Music & Art is relevant. Details of Charles's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.
Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Charles Adler is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.
We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Charles Adler, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Charles's current availability for your dates.