Sam Pitroda is an internationally respected telecom inventor, entrepreneur, development thinker and policy maker who has spent 50 years in information and communications technology (ICT) and related global and national developments. Credited with having laid the foundation for India’s telecommunications and technology revolution of the 1980s, Sam Pitroda has... Read more
Sam Pitroda is an internationally respected telecom inventor, entrepreneur, development thinker and policy maker who has spent 50 years in information and communications technology (ICT) and related global and national developments.
Credited with having laid the foundation for India’s telecommunications and technology revolution of the 1980s, Sam Pitroda has been a leading campaigner to help bridge the global digital divide. During his tenure as Advisor to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Sam Pitroda led six technology missions related to telecommunications, water, literacy, immunisation, dairy production and oil seeds. He was also the founder and the first Chairman of India’s Telecom Commission. These roles have helped Pitroda to revolutionise India’s development philosophies and policies with a focus on access to technology as the key to social change.
Between 2005-09 Pitroda headed India’s National Knowledge Commission. The idea was to provide a blueprint of reform for the Knowledge-related institutions and infrastructure for the 21st Century in the country.
More recently, Pitroda served as Advisor to the Prime Minister of India on Public Information Infrastructure and Innovation, with the rank of a Cabinet Minister. He served as the Chairman of the Smart Grid Task Force, as well as the committees to reform public broadcasting, modernise railways, deliver e-governance and other developmental activities.
Sam Pitroda is Founding Chairman of five non-profit organizations, including the India Food Bank, the Global Knowledge Initiative and the Institute of Transdisciplinary Health. He is also a founding Commissioner for Digital Development and Chairman of the International Telecommunication Union’s m-Powering Development Board. A Board that looks to empower developing countries with the use of mobile technology.
In addition, Sam Pitroda is a serial entrepreneur, having started several companies in the US. He holds around 20 honorary PhDs, close to 100 worldwide patents and has published five books and numerous papers and lectured widely all over the world. Pitroda lives in Chicago.
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You can book Sam Pitroda through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Sam's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.
Sam Pitroda'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 Sam tailored to your event.
Sam Pitroda speaks on a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Sam to align the content with your delegates and goals.
London Speaker Bureau can book Sam Pitroda for events worldwide, subject to Sam'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 Sam Pitroda 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 Sam can accommodate.
London Speaker Bureau will brief Sam Pitroda 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 Sam can offer.
Sam Pitroda delivers keynotes in Hindi. 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.
Sam Pitroda's areas of expertise include a range of business, leadership and industry subjects. To get a clear sense of Sam'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.
Sam Pitroda can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in a range of business, leadership and industry subjects is relevant. Details of Sam'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 Sam Pitroda 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 Sam Pitroda, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Sam's current availability for your dates.