KeyNote
KeyNote Women Speakers is a volunteer-driven Singapore non-profit operating a curated global directory that connects event organizers with diverse women keynote speakers, complemented by speaker training programmes and a community platform; revenue comes from speaker membership fees and a 20% commission on confirmed bookings.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersSingapore, Singapore
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What KeyNote does
KeyNote Women Speakers (legally KeyNote Women Pte Ltd) is a Singapore-registered, volunteer-driven non-profit founded in 2017 with a stated mission to increase diversity on professional speaking stages globally. The company operates a curated global directory that connects event organizers with women keynote speakers spanning 40+ nationalities and topical expertise from leadership and AI to sustainability, neuroscience, and entrepreneurship. Alongside the directory, KeyNote runs speaker training programmes (Inspire and Elevate) that use story-crafting and theatre-based techniques to develop women into professional speakers, and operates a global community platform offering mentorship and sponsorship among speakers.
The core product is an online speaker directory searchable by topic, budget, location, and language, supplemented by direct-inquiry facilitation services that match event organizers with speakers based on stated criteria. KeyNote charges speakers a one-off membership fee (amount varies by country of residence) to publish a profile and earns a 20% commission on the gross speaking fee for any confirmed booking facilitated through the platform; it may also manage payment on the speaker's behalf. The organization markets through content channels including its website, a Spotify podcast, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram, and participates in industry events. Named enterprise clients include Microsoft, Salesforce, Accenture, Aon, Indeed, Micron, Fidelity International, R/GA, Clarins, BNY Mellon, and White & Case, with geographic reach spanning 30+ markets across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. The organization is led by founder and Chair Mette Johansson and CSMO Amira Ben Achour, and has trained more than 500 women through its programmes.
KeyNote firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- KeyNote
- Legal name
- KeyNote Women Pte Ltd
- Website
- https://keynotewomen.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- KeyNote Women Speakers is a volunteer-driven Singapore non-profit operating a curated global directory that connects event organizers with diverse women keynote speakers, complemented by speaker training programmes and a community platform; revenue comes from speaker membership fees and a 20% commission on confirmed bookings.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
KeyNote industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Speaker Directory and Booking Services
- NAICS
- Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Entertainment Booking & Speaker/Talent Management (HSACAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Speaker, Program & Abstract Management Services (THAHACAI)
Keywords
Where KeyNote is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Singapore
- HQ country
- Singapore
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
KeyNote business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Speaker Membership Fees: A one-off membership fee for speakers to join the KeyNote directory. The applicable amount and currency varies depending on country of residence.
- Booking Commission: KeyNote facilitates introductions between event organizers and speakers. When an introduction results in a confirmed booking, a commission of 20% of the gross speaking fee applies. KeyNote may manage payment on behalf of the speaker, deduct the commission, and remit the remaining balance to the speaker within 30 days.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Speaker Directory Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels8 records
KeyNote product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KeyNote Women Speakers operates a curated global online directory of accomplished women keynote speakers that event organizers can browse and filter by topic, budget, region, and language. The organization also offers speaker training programmes (Inspire and Elevate), a global community platform for women speakers, and a booking facilitation service that manages introductions and optional payment processing for a 20% commission on confirmed engagements.
Product overview
KeyNote Women Speakers is a non-profit organization operating a curated global directory of women keynote speakers, paired with speaker training programmes (Inspire and Elevate) and a supportive community platform. The core offering is the Speaker Directory, which event organizers browse to find speakers matched by topic expertise, budget, and location. Training programmes develop speaking skills and confidence, while the community platform connects speakers for mentorship and mutual support. Booking facilitation services—including introductions and optional payment management—tie the ecosystem together, with a 20% commission on confirmed bookings facilitated through the platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KeyNote Women: Non-profit initiative focused on bringing diversity to speaking stages worldwide, connecting women speakers with event organizers.
Products and services
- KeyNote Women Speakers Directory A curated global online directory connecting event organizers with accomplished women keynote speakers, searchable by topic expertise, budget, location, and language, spanning 40+ nationalities.
- Speaker Training Programmes (Inspire and Elevate) Training programmes (Inspire and Elevate) designed to help women develop public speaking skills, build confidence, and grow as professional speakers, featuring story crafting and theatre-based techniques. More than 500 women have been trained through these programmes.
- Speaker Booking Facilitation Service facilitating introductions between event organizers and women speakers based on topic expertise, budget, location, and other criteria, with optional payment management on behalf of the speaker and a 20% commission on confirmed bookings.
- Global Speaker Community A global, supportive community connecting women speakers who champion each other's growth and visibility, with mentorship and sponsorship opportunities for members.
Companies that use KeyNote
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
KeyNote technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
KeyNote partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor.
- AWARE SingaporeminorAWARE (Association of Women for Action & Research) is a women's organization in Singapore. KeyNote speaker Aarathi Arumugam serves as Board President of AWARE Singapore.
- PrimeTime Business & Professional Women AssociationminorPrimeTime is a professional network helping women achieve their highest potential. Multiple KeyNote speakers, including Katia Melazzi (President) and Aurelie Saada (former President), are active in this organization.
- Asian Women Leadership SummitminorEvent partnership for promoting women speakers at the Asian Women Leadership Summit.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
KeyNote competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Washington Speakers Bureau: Long-established full-service speakers bureau representing keynote and motivational speakers to corporate and association buyers. Comparable to KeyNote as a fee-based intermediary between event organisers and professional speakers, though it is for-profit and not focused on diversity.
- Gotham Artists: Speakers and talent bureau serving corporate events across business, technology, and lifestyle topics. Direct peer given the shared marketplace model for booking professional speakers for events.
- The Harry Walker Agency: Premium speakers bureau representing political, business, and thought-leadership keynote speakers. Direct peer to KeyNote given the shared model of curating and brokering keynote talent to corporate event buyers, albeit at the high-fee end and not diversity-targeted.
- Leading Authorities: US-based speakers bureau and events production agency providing keynote speakers, moderators, and executive programs. Comparable to KeyNote in brokering professional speakers to enterprise events, though broader in scope and not a non-profit.
- All American Speakers (AAE): Large online speakers bureau with a searchable directory and booking facilitation services. Closely matches KeyNote's directory + facilitation model and its enterprise-event buyer orientation.
- Big Time Speakers Bureau: Speakers bureau offering a curated directory of keynote and motivational talent to corporate and association clients. Comparable to KeyNote as a competing curated-speaker intermediary.
Emerging players
- SoGal: Global community supporting women entrepreneurs and founders, often partnering with brands on events and speaker programming. Tangentially comparable to KeyNote's mission to elevate women on speaking stages and its community-driven operating model.
- The Female Quotient: Equality-focused consultancy and community curating women speakers and DEI event experiences. Comparable to KeyNote in mission (amplifying women's voices on stages) and in serving corporate event buyers seeking diverse talent.
- Speakerhub: Online speaker directory and booking platform serving professional and expert speakers globally. Comparable to KeyNote as a digital marketplace for speakers, with broader (non-diversity-specific) inventory.
Broad incumbents
- CAA Speakers: Speaking division of Creative Artists Agency, the major talent agency. Comparable as a premium speaker-brokering channel for corporate events, but operating as a division of a global entertainment conglomerate rather than a curated non-profit directory.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
KeyNote social profiles
Digital presenceKeyNote financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
KeyNote leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
KeyNote funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
KeyNote M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about KeyNote
What does KeyNote do?
KeyNote Women Speakers operates a curated global online directory of accomplished women keynote speakers that event organizers can browse and filter by topic, budget, region, and language. The organization also offers speaker training programmes (Inspire and Elevate), a global community platform for women speakers, and a booking facilitation service that manages introductions and optional payment processing for a 20% commission on confirmed engagements.
Is KeyNote a public or private company?
KeyNote is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was KeyNote founded?
KeyNote was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is KeyNote based?
KeyNote is headquartered in Singapore, Singapore, in the Asia region.
How does KeyNote make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Speaker Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are booking Commission.
Who are KeyNote's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Washington Speakers Bureau, Gotham Artists, The Harry Walker Agency, Leading Authorities, All American Speakers (AAE) and Big Time Speakers Bureau. Emerging players are SoGal, The Female Quotient and Speakerhub. CAA Speakers is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does KeyNote have an API?
No public API is recorded for KeyNote.
What industry is KeyNote in?
KeyNote's product category is Speaker Directory and Booking Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAAAI, Entertainment Booking & Speaker/Talent Management, with a secondary code of THAHACAI, Speaker, Program & Abstract Management Services. Its NAICS code is 56192.