Dr Mark van Rijmenam

Strategic Futurist, Founder of Futurwise, Global Speaking Fellow, Author of ‘Now What? How to Ride the Tsunami of Change’ & Metaverse Advisor

Dr Mark van Rijmenam’s Biography:

Dr Mark van Rijmenam is a strategic futurist, award-winning keynote speaker, Founder and Strategic Futurist at Futurwise, and the globally recognised The Digital Speaker. Ranked as the world’s #1 futurist, Mark is known for helping organisations make sense of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and the mindset shifts required to lead through uncertainty. Speaking to Fortune 500 companies, government leaders and senior decision-makers across more than 35 countries, he has built an international reputation for turning complex ideas into clear, commercially relevant insight. His most notable achievements include being recognised by Salesforce as one of 16 global voices shaping the future of AI, delivering the world’s first TEDx talk in virtual reality, and becoming a Global Speaking Fellow, one of the speaking industry’s highest honours.

Mark’s career began in hospitality, marketing and business strategy, experiences that gave him a strong commercial grounding long before he became known on the global keynote circuit. He studied Hospitality Management at Hotelschool The Hague, completed an MSc in Marketing Management at Nyenrode Business University, and later earned a PhD in Management from the University of Technology Sydney. His doctoral research focused on how emerging technologies such as big data, blockchain and artificial intelligence reshape organisations, a theme that has remained central to his work ever since. Early roles at Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates, ING and within digital consultancy helped Mark understand how organisations respond to change from the inside, giving him a practical perspective that still defines his keynote speaking today. A particularly formative chapter in his life came when he cycled 14,122 kilometres around Australia in 100 days to raise funds for children’s cancer research, an experience that sharpened the resilience, discipline and purpose he now brings to every stage.

Over time, Mark transformed that mix of academic rigour and real-world business experience into an influential global platform. He launched The Digital Speaker in 2012 and founded Datafloq, a major emerging technology content platform later acquired in 2025. He is also the Founder of Futurwise, an AI-powered learning platform designed to help leaders cut through noise and gain trusted insights on fast-moving topics. As an author, Mark has written six books on the future of technology, including ‘Now What? How to Ride the Tsunami of Change’, his latest release. He has consistently pushed the boundaries of what keynote speaking can look like, from pioneering immersive virtual reality presentations to appearing on stage with a digital twin in his 2023 TEDx Athens talk. Alongside his work on stage, he has served as Hon. Advisor, Metaverse for The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation, a Mentor at Ignyte, and a Member of the Association of Professional Futurists, reinforcing his credibility as both a thinker and practitioner.

Why Hire Dr Mark van Rijmenam?

Event organisers hire Mark because he offers far more than trend commentary, he gives audiences a practical framework for understanding change and acting on it. His keynote topics include artificial intelligence, leadership, digital transformation, the future of work, innovation, strategy, privacy, security, big data, the metaverse and wider emerging technologies. These subjects matter because businesses are operating in a world shaped by rapid technological advancement, shifting workforce expectations and growing uncertainty around trust, ethics and competitiveness. Mark helps leaders interpret what these changes really mean for their people, culture and long-term strategy, making him a compelling choice for conferences, leadership events and innovation-focused gatherings. With a style that is intelligent, engaging and highly relevant to senior audiences, Mark leaves people better prepared to lead with confidence in a fast-changing world.

Dr Mark van Rijmenam’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Dr Mark van Rijmenam’s remarkable career in futurism:

• 2025 – Ranked the world’s #1 futurist by Global Gurus
• 2025 – Datafloq, the emerging technology platform he founded, was acquired
• 2025 – Published his latest book, Now What? How to Ride the Tsunami of Change
• 2025 – Futurwise was included in the INSEAD AI Venture Lab 2025
• 2023 – Delivered a TEDx Athens talk alongside his digital twin
• 2023 – Awarded the Global Speaking Fellow accreditation
• 2023 – Earned the Certified Speaking Professional accreditation
• 2020 – Delivered the world’s first TEDx Talk in virtual reality
• 2019 – Completed a PhD in Management at the University of Technology Sydney
• 2012 – Founded The Digital Speaker