Alan Knott-Craig: Expert Technology

Serial tech entrepreneur and investor who shares practical lessons from building mobile and startup ecosystems to help teams scale digital products and business models.

Alan Knott-Craig

Quick Facts:

Highlights:
  • Alan Knott-Craig is a pioneering entrepreneur whose visionary leadership has shaped the landscape of telecommunications and social innovation in Africa and beyond.
  • Alan’s captivating storytelling and thought leadership make him a sought-after speaker for events worldwide, leaving a lasting impact on audiences with his inspiring message of innovation and empowerment.


Formats Available: Keynote, Founder Clinic, Panel, Executive Briefing, Virtual

Preferred Audience Sizes: Founders and exec teams (20–150); Conferences (200–2,000)

Outcomes:
  1. Shortlist high potential product bets with scaling plans.
  2. Build investor-ready narratives and KPIs.
  3. Improve go-to-market speed with founder-tested tactics.

Belongs to these categories

Travel & Fees

  • Travels from: Pretoria, Gauteng

Short Bio

Alan Knott-Craig is a founder, author, and serial entrepreneur best known for work that connects business strategy with social impact. He launched and leads initiatives focused on affordable connectivity and digital inclusion across South Africa, most notably Project Isizwe which champions free public WiFi in underserved communities.

Alan pairs entrepreneurial smarts with on-the-ground delivery experience, moving easily between boardroom strategy and operational programs that expand access to internet and digital tools. His background includes founding/leading consumer and telecom ventures and writing on entrepreneurship and innovation for business leaders.

Alan’s stage work blends lessons from scaling businesses with practical guidance for leaders who want to build products and services that matter to people and communities. Audiences leave with frameworks for engaging partners, measuring social value, and launching pilots that can scale rapidly.

Organizers typically book Alan when they want a speaker who balances big-picture vision with pragmatic next steps for product, policy, and partnership.

Alan Knott-Craig is a luminary figure in the realm of entrepreneurship and social innovation, renowned for his unwavering commitment to bridging the digital divide in Africa. As a highly successful entrepreneur, best-selling author, and visionary leader, he has left an indelible mark on both the business landscape and the community at large. At the helm of Project Isizwe, an NGO dedicated to advocating for universal access to free WiFi in underserved communities across Africa, Alan has spearheaded transformative initiatives that have empowered countless individuals with the tools to thrive in the digital age.

Alan Knott-Craig’s journey to prominence is marked by a relentless pursuit of innovation and social impact. With a distinguished career spanning decades, he has amassed a wealth of experience and insights that have propelled him to the forefront of the entrepreneurial sphere. As the founder of Project Isizwe, Alan has demonstrated a profound understanding of the transformative power of connectivity, championing initiatives that harness technology to drive socio-economic development.

His entrepreneurial acumen extends beyond the realm of social advocacy, as evidenced by his role as the Executive Chairman of HeroTel, a leading wireless broadband operator operating across South Africa. Under his leadership, HeroTel has emerged as a trailblazer in the telecommunications industry, pioneering innovative solutions to address the evolving needs of consumers in an increasingly interconnected world.

Alan Knott-Craig’s expertise is further underscored by his status as a best-selling author, with acclaimed works that offer invaluable insights into the dynamics of entrepreneurship and leadership in the digital age. Through his writings, he has inspired countless individuals to embark on their own entrepreneurial journeys, equipping them with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape.

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