Availability dot

Available to book

Co-Founder of Student Beans

James Eder

James Eder, co-founder of Student Beans and author of The Collision Code, helps organisations unlock performance through human connection. He works with leaders and teams to break down barriers, spark serendipity, and build cultures where people feel empowered to speak up and take action.

Trusted by Hewlett Packard, Henley Business School, UNESCO

James Eder, Speaker | Co-Founder Of Student Beans
James Eder

James Eder

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£6–10k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

Get James's availability

Availability dot
Instant quote
No upfront fee
Vetted speaker

Book James

London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£6–10k

Send an email

loading@getapeptalk.com

Give us a call

+44 203 835 2929

Enquire James Now

Availability dot for speakers
Instant quote
No upfront fee
Vetted speaker

James Eder's biography

At a glance

  • Co-founder of Student Beans, a global lifestyle platform for university students
  • Author of The Collision Code, exploring the power of human connection
  • Speaker on leadership, entrepreneurship, resilience, and networking
James Eder is an author, entrepreneur, and work-life coach with over 20 years of leadership experience. He co-founded Student Beans, now part of Pion, and has spent two decades building businesses, forging communities, and developing a practical framework for how human connection drives success. James co-founded Student Beans in 2005, bootstrapping the business from a £3,000 King's Trust loan into a global platform that now works with over 2,000 brands and employs more than 250 people worldwide. His book, The Collision Code, endorsed by Ogilvy Vice Chairman Rory Sutherland, explores how genuine relationships deepen personal fulfilment and professional success. It centres on themes of connection, collaboration, taking action, and serendipity through a three-part framework of permission, confidence, and context. 100% of the book's royalties are donated to charity. Following a diagnosis of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy in 2018, James redesigned how he works and lives, a shift that now sits at the heart of everything he does. Through his coaching, he works with entrepreneurs and founders, offering SAS: Space, Accountability, and Support. In his speaking, James draws on two decades of building businesses, navigating setbacks, and forging communities, messages he has shared across stages including One Young World, UNESCO, the Wired Next Generation Conference, and the Festival of Marketing. Alongside his speaking and coaching, James works with founders as an investor and gives his time to charitable causes including The King's Trust, Young Enterprise, Snow Camp, and AIESEC. Audiences leave James's sessions with a concrete model for building relationships that create real opportunities, practical tools for giving themselves and their teams permission to speak up and take action, and a renewed perspective on what resilience and reinvention actually look like.

James's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

The Power Of Collision
James Eder's signature keynote unpacks the hidden mechanics of serendipity and asks why so many of us wait for opportunity rather than engineering it. Drawing on his entrepreneurial journey and the lessons learned building global ventures, James blends personal storytelling with practical frameworks to show how everyday encounters can become turning points. Audiences leave with actionable tools to build confidence, deepen connections, and actively invite more of the right moments into their professional and personal lives.
From Student Beans To The Collision Code
James Eder has built, failed, iterated, and scaled ventures across multiple markets. This session draws on those lived experiences to explore what the conventional startup narrative gets wrong about success and failure, and what the rest of the business world can learn from founders. James leaves audiences with a sharper understanding of how entrepreneurial thinking translates into smarter decisions inside any organisation.
Breaking Down Barriers
In a world of notifications, screens, and surface-level interaction, genuine human connection has never been harder to sustain or more commercially valuable. James Eder explores why so many professionals struggle to connect authentically and what stands in the way, from digital distraction to social anxiety to the performative habits that pass for networking. This session gives audiences a practical rethink of how they show up in rooms, meetings, and moments that matter.
Resilience Through Setbacks
James Eder knows what it means to keep going when the ground shifts beneath you. This session reframes failure not as an obstacle but as the raw material of growth. Moving beyond motivational clichés, James offers an honest and grounded perspective on what resilience actually looks like in practice, giving leaders and teams a more useful toolkit for navigating pressure, setbacks, and uncertainty.
Overcoming The Fear Of Connection
Fear of rejection, uncertainty, and getting it wrong quietly undermines collaboration and networking in organisations of every size. James Eder breaks down why so many capable professionals hold back in the moments that matter most, and how leaders can build environments where people feel safe enough to reach out, speak up, and take meaningful risks. Audiences leave with a clearer understanding of what blocks connection and concrete steps to move past it.

Why we recommend booking James

Co-founder of Student Beans and author of The Collision Code, James brings hard-won entrepreneurial experience to every stage. He speaks to everyone in the room. For employees, James creates permission to speak up and take action. For leaders, he offers a practical framework for building the kind of culture where that becomes the norm. If your people need to think differently about how they build trust and take action, James delivers that shift in a single session.

Check James's availability

Trusted by Hewlett Packard, Henley Business School, UNESCO

Testimonials

James delivered a powerful and engaging talk at our leadership conference part story, part strategy, and entirely inspiring. Sharing the journey of building Student Beans from an idea into a global platform, James brought real-world insight into what it means to connect with audiences and customers in an authentic way. His message, ‘Stop Marketing, Start Mattering’ resonated deeply. The combination of energy, honesty, and practical takeaways made his session one of the standouts of the day. If you’re looking for a speaker who brings experience, heart, and genuine impact, James is an outstanding choice.

David Taylor

The Naked Leader

James spoke at the Entrepreneurship School in Madrid, organized by ThinkYoung and the Coca-Cola Foundation. He inspired over 100 aspiring entrepreneurs with his experience and energy, motivating many to launch their own ventures. A true professional, he was a pleasure to work with and I look forward to collaborating with him again.

Luca Selva

Founder, ThinkYoung

James was the perfect speaker for an Innovation conference. James was inspirational, sharing stories that felt both powerful and relatable. He captivated the entire audience and created meaningful interaction among us. We left energized, motivated, and with clear, actionable takeaways. I wholeheartedly recommend him as a speaker.

Miranda Foster

Head of Programmes and Products, Homes England

Featured Projects

James Eder - The Collision Code book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book James Eder for my next event?
Email james.eder@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm James's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.

James Eder combines personal storytelling drawn from his entrepreneurial career with a named practical framework — the three-part Collision Code model of permission, confidence, and context — to give audiences a replicable structure for building relationships and creating opportunity.

What is James Eder's speaking style like?
James Eder combines personal storytelling drawn from his entrepreneurial career with a named practical framework — the three-part Collision Code model of permission, confidence, and context — to give audiences a replicable structure for building relationships and creating opportunity.

James Eder combines personal storytelling drawn from his entrepreneurial career with a named practical framework — the three-part Collision Code model of permission, confidence, and context — to give audiences a replicable structure for building relationships and creating opportunity.

What topics does James Eder specialise in?
James Eder speaks on engineering serendipity and human connection, entrepreneurial thinking and startup lessons, and breaking down barriers to authentic professional relationships. He co-founded Student Beans, bootstrapped from a £3,000 King's Trust loan into a global platform working with over 2,000 brands and more than 250 employees worldwide, and is the author of The Collision Code, endorsed by Ogilvy Vice Chairman Rory Sutherland.

James Eder speaks on engineering serendipity and human connection, entrepreneurial thinking and startup lessons, and breaking down barriers to authentic professional relationships. He co-founded Student Beans, bootstrapped from a £3,000 King's Trust loan into a global platform working with over 2,000 brands and more than 250 employees worldwide, and is the author of The Collision Code, endorsed by Ogilvy Vice Chairman Rory Sutherland.

What information do I need to provide to book a speaker?

To get the sharpest shortlist, share your event date, audience, format, key objectives, and budget. A rough idea is enough to start. The more context PepTalk has, the more precisely the team can match a speaker to your brief. Send it via getapeptalk.com.

Does PepTalk charge a booking fee?

There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.

How do I book a speaker with PepTalk?

Booking a speaker with PepTalk starts with a short brief: your event, audience, date, budget, and format. Send it through getapeptalk.com or hello@getapeptalk.com and you'll get a shortlist within 24 hours. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, fees, travel, and logistics end to end.

I need a last-minute speaker. Can PepTalk help?

Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.

How much does it cost to book a speaker through PepTalk?

Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.

Can I book a speaker who isn't listed on the PepTalk website?

Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.

How quickly will I get a speaker shortlist?

You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a booking?

Most bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker and are set out clearly in the contract before you confirm, so there are no surprises. PepTalk's team supports you through any change. Contact hello@getapeptalk.com as soon as plans shift.

Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

How can I report an issue or make changes to an expert profile?

If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, please email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Can I book a speaker for a virtual or hybrid event?

Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.

How do I brief an insights speaker on my organisation's strategic context?

Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.

Can event entertainers customise their act for my company or industry?

Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.