Michael Acton Smith

Entrepreneur Michael Acton Smith, founder of both Firebox and Mind Candy shares his journey from quirky idea and £1000, to multi-million pound company, helping his audiences learn from his mistakes, and understand how to absorb information and learn quickly to ensure success. His keynote and after dinner speeches are delivered with enthusiasm and a sense of fun.

C: £10k-£15k

Enquire about Michael Acton Smith

"He was a great addition to our event and his speech was genuinely inspiring."

The Field Agency

More Michael Acton Smith reviews

Webinar and Virtual Event Speakers, Keynote Speakers Business, Innovation, Entrepreneurs, Marketing & Branding, Retail

Michael Acton Smith is the dynamic young entrepreneur who founded the popular gadget company Firebox and the mobile entertainment company Mind Candy. Michael is an inspirational and charismatic after dinner speaker in the field of entrepreneurship, business and technology.

The internet based gadget shop Firebox.com is an internationally recognised household name, offering funky, innovative and quirky gadgets from around the world. The company rose to be a multi-million pound business, but it was not without its bumps in the road in the early days.

At University, Michael and his friends hit upon the idea of launching their own web based games company. In 1998, with £1000 cash given to them by Michael’s mother and using the free attic of one of their parents, they launched what would eventually known as Firebox, then Hotbox.

The biggest breakthrough in their success came from the “Shot Glass Chess Set”, an idea that was born during a drunken night at the Union Bar. In 1998 the company moved to London and having made a startling discovery about another company called Hot Box, they rebranded and Firebox.com was born.

Michael confesses to his naivety about business in the beginning, but was determined that, with no other competitors in the market, their idea couldn’t fail. They set about absorbing information from every publication and source they could get their hands on in order to gain the help they needed to drive the company forward.

In fact, their growth was so spectacular that, in late 2004 Firebox was listed by The Sunday Times Fast Track 100 as the 13th fastest growing, privately owned business in the UK.

Today, following the immense success of Firebox and his latest equally quirky company Mind Candy, a mobile entertainment platform which puts its name to the phenomenon Moshi Monsters. Michael is often asked to share his success stories with the corporate sector.

In 2014, Michael was awarded an OBE for services to creative industries and through his innovative creations; he continues to prove himself worthy of this title.

Bright, gifted and enthusiastic, Michael’s entrepreneurial story is energetic and has a powerful underlying message of overcoming obstacles, sailing through the turbulent times and never giving up on the dream.

His dynamic story and incredible success means he is well-versed to discuss entrepreneurialism and business management in a keynote speech.