Entrepreneur · Speaker · Professor · Author · Podcast Host

John M.
Torrens, Ph.D.

5× Inc. 5000 Honoree · Syracuse University Professor · YPO Member · TEDx Speaker

Award-winning professor, five-time Inc. 5000 entrepreneur, and author helping founders harness the entrepreneurial mindset—and their neurodiversity—to build high-growth companies.

30+
Years in business
Inc. 5000
University Teaching Award Honoree
John M. Torrens, Ph.D. — keynote speaker, ADHD entrepreneur, Syracuse University professor
Lightning in a Bottle — How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win

Entrepreneur.
Professor. Author.

Dr. Torrens is a five-time Inc. 5000 entrepreneur and award-winning Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice at Syracuse University's Martin J. Whitman School of Management. He is a healthcare and education entrepreneur with 25 years leading high-growth companies with experience in developing high-performing teams, raising capital, and both buy/sell side M&A. He is also an early-stage investor in companies spanning cannabis to health tech AI. He is a frequent guest speaker and executive education instructor in the areas of entrepreneurship, strategy, and corporate innovation. Dr. Torrens is a TEDx speaker (ADHD as an Entrepreneur's Superpower), and author of the book Lightning in a Bottle: How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win. He is an active member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and served in multiple volunteer leadership positions including a term on the International Board of Directors (2013–2015).

His work centers on a powerful insight: the cognitive traits that make entrepreneurship difficult—ADHD, hyperfocus, risk tolerance, divergent thinking—are often the very traits that make founders exceptional. His book Lightning in a Bottle makes this case with data, story, and actionable frameworks.

As president of Sprout Therapy Group and a board member of several funded startups, John bridges academia and practice every day. His program, Entrepreneur.ing, serves founders who want to manage the downside of their ADHD so the upside can shine.

Teaching & Research
Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice at Syracuse University's Whitman School. Ranked #1 for experiential learning (Poets&Quants 2026).
Entrepreneurship & Investing
2× Exited founder, board member, and investor across healthcare, technology, and education. 30 years of buy/sell-side M&A experience.
Speaking & Education
Keynote speaker for corporate events, YPO/EO chapters, TEDx stages, and university programs across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
Coaching via Entrepreneur.ing
An evidence-based 8-week coaching program for entrepreneurs with ADHD traits who want to manage the downside of their ADHD so the upside can shine.
John M. Torrens, Ph.D. speaking on stage — ADHD entrepreneurship and peak performance keynote

"Enthusiastic, funny, and engaging."

Keynote speaker for YPO chapters, corporate executive education, and universities across North America

Book John for Your
Next Event

Negotiation
Negotiation basics and advanced negotiation skills — practical frameworks for deal-making, partnerships, and high-stakes conversations.
ADHD & Entrepreneurship
Why so many high-achieving entrepreneurs show ADHD traits—and how to harness them as a superpower rather than fight them.
Scaling High-Growth Companies
Frameworks from 30 years of building, scaling, and exiting companies. Practical tools for founders at every stage.
Peak Performance & Mindset
HeartMath-certified coaching meets entrepreneurship—optimize mind, body, and business performance simultaneously.
Entrepreneurship Education
How the next generation of founders learns—experiential, real-world, and research-driven programs that produce results.
The Total Entrepreneur
Integrating health, wellness, and sustainable performance into entrepreneurial life—for leaders who want to last.

"Enthusiastic, funny, and engaging—great content for a lasting impact."

Past clients include YPO chapters, corporate executive education programs, and universities across North America.

Inquire About Speaking

Mind. Body. Spirit.
Business.

30 Years of Building

Present
Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice, M.S. Program Manager and Interim Department Chair
Syracuse University — Whitman School of Management
Teaching entrepreneurship and new venture creation, Negotiations, and Entrepreneurial Wellbeing. Ranked #1 for experiential learning by Poets&Quants 2026.
Present
President and Executive Director
Sprout Therapy Group
Leading an Inc. 5000 healthcare services company providing therapy and special education services to young children in Central and Western NY.
Leadership
International Board Member
Young Presidents Organization (YPO)
Active YPO Gold member. Served multiple volunteer leadership roles including a term on the International Board.
Author
Lightning in a Bottle
How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win
The definitive guide for entrepreneurs with ADHD—backed by research, built on 30 years of lived experience.
Education
Ph.D. — Business Management
Academic Research
Research focused on resilience, and the connection between ADHD and entrepreneurship.
Honors
Inc. 5000 Honoree × 5
Inc. Magazine
Five-time recognition on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in America.
Coaching
Founder — Entrepreneur.ing
1:1 Coaching for ADHD Founders
An evidence-based 8-week coaching program for entrepreneurs with ADHD traits who want to manage the downside of their ADHD so the upside can shine.
Explore the Coaching Program →
What Students Say
"This course has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life." — Syracuse University Student
"I genuinely feel like I am leaving this experience as a different person — more confident, more self-aware, and far more intentional in how I approach negotiation and decision-making." — Syracuse University Student
"This transformation would not have been possible without Professor Torrens." — Syracuse University Student
"The way he structured, managed, and taught this course with clarity, passion, and real-world relevance is something I truly believe no one else could have replicated." — Syracuse University Student
"This week did more than teach me how to negotiate — it reshaped how I think, evaluate risk, and define success going forward." — Syracuse University Student
"The program impressed me in the sense that each day was an intentional sequel to the last, rather than another miscellaneous lesson." — Syracuse University Student
"As a result of this course, I feel more well equipped with tools to be more confident, prepared, and creative when entering a negotiation." — Syracuse University Student
"I would recommend this course to Syracuse students regardless of their line of study." — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens, the guest speakers, and my classmates made it a truly unforgettable experience." — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens really helped keep everyone right on track. I really liked how he broke down work into smaller sections to make it more manageable." — Syracuse University Student
"Torrens was the most valuable part of this class. Helped us the whole way through and gave us the guidance we needed to be successful. Wouldn't have taken my capstone with anyone else." — Syracuse University Student
"His experience and enthusiasm about the topic were very valuable to my learning experience." — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens was one of the best teachers I have had in Whitman after all four years — he broke down a very daunting and scary class and made it feel manageable and doable!" — Syracuse University Student
"Torrens was a great professor to have for my senior capstone. He was supportive, encouraging, and helpful." — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens did an exceptional job of setting my group up for success with the capstone competition. I highly recommend taking this course with Torrens." — Syracuse University Student
"The capstone class had always seemed so daunting but Professor Torrens made this class worth enjoying! The professor really makes or breaks a course and Torrens really made it!" — Syracuse University Student
"He truly taught me to be a better public speaker and be more confident in myself and my ideas." — Syracuse University Student
"Torrens was just an amazing professor and he made me want to do the best I could do — he gave amazing feedback while also genuinely being interested in his students' wellbeing." — Syracuse University Student
"Capstone is known to be a scary and dreadful class for most seniors, but he made it one of my favorites." — Syracuse University Student
"The real world experience brought to the classroom by Prof. Torrens and his enthusiasm for the topic of Entrepreneurship were very valuable to me." — Syracuse University Student
"This class helped prepare us for success on the final presentation as well as in the real world of business. I would highly recommend this course and Prof. Torrens!" — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens made my capstone experience phenomenal! I loved that we were assigned groups — I never would've been with the people I was with otherwise." — Syracuse University Student
"I am so grateful for everything I learned this week and am excited to put these tools into practice in the real world." — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens also encouraged a lot of classroom participation and created a great classroom atmosphere." — Syracuse University Student
"I thought that the hands-on negotiations were easily the most valuable part of the course." — Syracuse University Student
"This course has been one of the most impactful experiences of my life." — Syracuse University Student
"I genuinely feel like I am leaving this experience as a different person — more confident, more self-aware, and far more intentional in how I approach negotiation and decision-making." — Syracuse University Student
"This transformation would not have been possible without Professor Torrens." — Syracuse University Student
"The way he structured, managed, and taught this course with clarity, passion, and real-world relevance is something I truly believe no one else could have replicated." — Syracuse University Student
"This week did more than teach me how to negotiate — it reshaped how I think, evaluate risk, and define success going forward." — Syracuse University Student
"The program impressed me in the sense that each day was an intentional sequel to the last, rather than another miscellaneous lesson." — Syracuse University Student
"As a result of this course, I feel more well equipped with tools to be more confident, prepared, and creative when entering a negotiation." — Syracuse University Student
"I would recommend this course to Syracuse students regardless of their line of study." — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens, the guest speakers, and my classmates made it a truly unforgettable experience." — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens really helped keep everyone right on track. I really liked how he broke down work into smaller sections to make it more manageable." — Syracuse University Student
"Torrens was the most valuable part of this class. Helped us the whole way through and gave us the guidance we needed to be successful. Wouldn't have taken my capstone with anyone else." — Syracuse University Student
"His experience and enthusiasm about the topic were very valuable to my learning experience." — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens was one of the best teachers I have had in Whitman after all four years — he broke down a very daunting and scary class and made it feel manageable and doable!" — Syracuse University Student
"Torrens was a great professor to have for my senior capstone. He was supportive, encouraging, and helpful." — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens did an exceptional job of setting my group up for success with the capstone competition. I highly recommend taking this course with Torrens." — Syracuse University Student
"The capstone class had always seemed so daunting but Professor Torrens made this class worth enjoying! The professor really makes or breaks a course and Torrens really made it!" — Syracuse University Student
"He truly taught me to be a better public speaker and be more confident in myself and my ideas." — Syracuse University Student
"Torrens was just an amazing professor and he made me want to do the best I could do — he gave amazing feedback while also genuinely being interested in his students' wellbeing." — Syracuse University Student
"Capstone is known to be a scary and dreadful class for most seniors, but he made it one of my favorites." — Syracuse University Student
"The real world experience brought to the classroom by Prof. Torrens and his enthusiasm for the topic of Entrepreneurship were very valuable to me." — Syracuse University Student
"This class helped prepare us for success on the final presentation as well as in the real world of business. I would highly recommend this course and Prof. Torrens!" — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens made my capstone experience phenomenal! I loved that we were assigned groups — I never would've been with the people I was with otherwise." — Syracuse University Student
"I am so grateful for everything I learned this week and am excited to put these tools into practice in the real world." — Syracuse University Student
"Professor Torrens also encouraged a lot of classroom participation and created a great classroom atmosphere." — Syracuse University Student
"I thought that the hands-on negotiations were easily the most valuable part of the course." — Syracuse University Student

Trusted by Leaders

"ADHD does not define me, it's actually my superpower. John Torrens emphasizes the significance of identifying and accepting your unique abilities and leveraging them as actionable assets. A must read for any entrepreneur looking to better understand their journey and crystalize their road map."

Keith Lemer · CEO, WellNet Healthcare · YPO Member · Economic Club of Washington D.C.

"I felt seen, heard, and encouraged on every page. This book empowers entrepreneurs with the tools to turn their ADHD into a superpower, providing a mindful path forward to lead any tribe. Whether you personally have ADHD or conduct business with someone who does, this is the book for you."

Kelsey Davis · Founder/CEO, CLLCTVE · Forbes 30 Under 30 (2021)

"Lightning in a Bottle captures the essence of the entrepreneurial journey for those with ADHD. Torrens' teachings empowered me to harness my ADHD as a superpower."

Matt Shumer · Founder & CEO, Otherside AI

ADHD as an Entrepreneur's Superpower

Did you know that 62% of highly successful entrepreneurs have traits consistent with ADHD? In this TEDx talk, John uses research and 30 years of experience to show how this is no coincidence — ADHD can be an entrepreneur's greatest superpower.

The talk draws on John's work as a five-time Inc. 5000 founder, his research at Syracuse University, and the frameworks in his book Lightning in a Bottle.

Watch on YouTube ↗
1:1 Coaching

John works with a small number of founders each year through his Entrepreneur.ing program — combining neuroscience, peak performance, and business strategy.

Learn more at Entrepreneur.ing ↗

Ready to work
together?

Whether you're booking John for a keynote, exploring the Entrepreneur.ing program, or discussing media and partnership opportunities—this is the right place to start.

Keynote & Speaking Inquiries
Entrepreneur.ing Program
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