Ben Casnocha

Ben Casnocha is an influential entrepreneur, thinker, and author who has established himself as a leading voice on subjects related to entrepreneurship and innovation. He is the author of the best-selling book “The Startup of You,” which offers advice for young professionals on building career-based networks and taking a proactive approach to job seeking. His other books include “The Alliance”, a book about the implications of new models of employment and management on the workforce. He is also the CEO of investment firm Comcate, which provides investors with innovative products and services, and has helped spur numerous business and economic developments.



Born in 1983, Casnocha attended Stanford as an undergraduate and received his B.A. in sociology. After exploring topics such as the psychology of decision making, he ventured into the Silicon Valley tech industry and later began his own software company. In 2012, he partnered with LinkedIn co-founder and venture capitalist Reid Hoffman to write “The Startup of You,” published by Crown Business. The book became a New York Times best-seller and has been featured in many publications and media outlets.



Casnocha is an advocate for the power of personal knowledge and networking. He believes that individuals, not just companies, need to think of their career trajectory like a business, building valuable networks and leveraging them in order to maximize one's opportunities. He often points to examples from the tech world, where having the right connections and networking opportunities can make the difference between success and failure.

In addition to his own book, Casnocha often speaks and writes about innovation, entrepreneurship, and the future of work. He advises startups, and in 2016 was the subject of a TED Talk titled “The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers.” He is also the co-founder of the Teeming Lab, a think-tank focused on inspiring people to think more analytically, challenge assumptions, and focus on meaningful and impactful work.

Casnocha’s ideas have reached a wide audience, and he has quickly made a name for himself in the business and technology fields. His books have been featured in publications including Inc., The Economist, Time, and Businessweek. In 2017, he was chosen as a recipient of Fortune’s "40 Under 40" list, recognizing the nation's most promising young business leaders.

For his work, Casnocha has been featured in local and international media and has been honored by organizations such as the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He is active on social media, regularly posting advice and updates from conferences he attends. He also co-hosts a weekly podcast, "Off the Chain," which focuses on technology, entrepreneurship, and career-building topics.

Since entering the private sector in 2008, Ben Casnocha has become an influential public figure, author, and businessman. With his inspiring insights on building a career, networking, and leveraging innovation, he has helped many professionals "startup" their own journey to success. His writing has impacted people across the world and will continue to do so.