Entrepreneur · Speaker · Professor · Author
John M.
John M.
Torrens, PhD.
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
5×
Inc. 5000
100+
Podcast episodes
⚡ New book: Lightning in a Bottle — How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win
About
Entrepreneur.
Entrepreneur.
Professor. Author.
John M. Torrens, PhD. has spent 30 years at the intersection of high-growth entrepreneurship and academic rigor. As a professor of entrepreneurial practice at Syracuse University's Whitman School of Management, he brings real deal-making experience into the classroom—and hard-won academic insights into the boardroom.
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 build with intention—combining neuroscience, strategy, and peak performance.
What John does
Teaching & Research
Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice at Syracuse University's Whitman School. Ranked #1 for experiential learning (Poets&Quants 2026).
Entrepreneurship & Investing
Board member and investor in multiple funded startups 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.
Coaching via Entrepreneur.ing
A flagship program helping founders build high-performance companies using neuroscience, peak performance research, and business strategy.
Keynote Speaking
Book John for Your
Book John for Your
Next Event
ADHD & Entrepreneurship
Why 62% of 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.
Raising Capital & Dealmaking
Insider perspectives on buy/sell-side M&A, cap raises, and working with investors. Unfiltered and practical.
The Total Entrepreneur
Integrating health, wellness, and sustainable performance into entrepreneurial life—for leaders who want to last.
The Total Entrepreneur Podcast
Mind. Body. Spirit.
Mind. Body. Spirit.
Business.
Career & Background
30 Years of Building
Present
Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice
Syracuse University — Whitman School of Management
Teaching entrepreneurship and strategy. Capstone competition director. Ranked #1 for experiential learning by Poets&Quants 2026.
Present
President
Sprout Therapy Group
Leading an Inc. 5000 healthcare services company providing therapy services across the Northeast.
Leadership
International Board Member
Young Presidents Organization (YPO Gold)
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. — Entrepreneurship & Strategy
Academic Research
Research focused on entrepreneurial cognition, high-growth firm strategy, and founder peak performance.
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 program combining neuroscience, peak performance, and business strategy — built for founders who are wired differently.
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
What People Say
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
As Seen In
Press & Media
Entrepreneur
All the Consulting, (Almost) None of the Cost
4 min read↗
Entrepreneur
Six Tips to Turn Your Passion into Profit
4 min read↗
Inc. Magazine
10 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Business
3 min read↗
Business Insider
Take Your Organization From Good to Great by Fostering Intrapreneurship
3 min read↗
Business News Daily
Government Grants for Small Businesses
4 min read↗
Wall Street Journal
When 'Friending' Becomes a Source of Start-Up Funds
5 min read↗
TEDx Talk
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.
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 ↗
Get in Touch
Ready to work
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
Media, Press & Partnerships