At the launch of Tech Week 2025 in Grand Rapids on September 15, Steve Wozniak—known simply as “Woz”—delivered a talk that went beyond inspiration. The Apple co-founder, now a revered figure in tech history, challenged the audience to rethink education as the foundation for building the next generation of innovators. With his characteristic warmth and humor, he noted, “The key to attracting big tech companies is having people they can hire.” He then shifted to a core message: foster curiosity from elementary school onward. Wozniak drew on his own childhood—tinkering with phone pranks and poring over ham radio guides by age 10—to argue that curiosity, paired with accessible tools, bridges playful experimentation and groundbreaking invention. He saw potential in Grand Rapids to become a tech hub, leveraging institutions like Grand Valley State University to turn industrial grit into a center of technological excellence.
Giving Back: A Legacy Built on Generosity
Wozniak’s story isn’t just about words; it’s defined by deliberate choices in how he uses his success. Marking his 75th birthday in August 2025, he revealed that he’d given away his Apple fortune years ago, passing on what could have been trillions in value to support causes that improve lives. In a recent Slashdot interview, he explained, “I gave all my Apple wealth away because wealth and power are not what I live for.” For him, the equation is straightforward: life is about happiness, measured as “smiles minus frowns.” After Apple’s 1985 IPO made him a multimillionaire, he donated around $10 million in stock to family, friends, and community organizations, choosing impact over accumulation.
His contributions have created real, enduring change. In San Jose, where a street now bears his name as “Wozniak Way,” he’s funded museums, performing arts groups, and educational programs, with a focus on getting computers into schools to level the playing field in digital skills. Key examples include outfitting the Los Gatos School District with advanced technology for teachers; co-founding the Electronic Frontier Foundation to protect online rights; and creating Woz U, an online platform that teaches coding and creative skills to underserved learners. These efforts aren’t one-off donations—they’re strategic investments that spark innovation from local classrooms to broader networks.
Why Bring Wozniak to Your Event? Sparking Real Engagement
Picture your next conference transformed from routine presentations into dynamic conversations. Apple co-founder speaker Steve Wozniak’s 60-minute sessions, blending storytelling with interactive Q&A, cover Apple’s origins, the future of robotics, and emerging tech like wearables. As a top speaker on Speakers.com, his tailored talks have energized events from music industry gatherings like NAMM to corporate audiences in Australia, leaving participants with fresh insights and lasting motivation. In a world saturated with scripted content, Wozniak represents the rare blend of humor and depth, showing that innovation and giving back can coexist seamlessly.
Book Steve Wozniak Now: Ignite Your Audience’s Potential
Curiosity thrives when acted upon—don’t let it fade. Reach out through Speakers.com to book Steve Wozniak and customize his talk for your group. Head to speakers.com/speakers/steve-wozniak to get started; your event could be the next catalyst for change. As Wozniak might say, true fulfillment is often just one bold step away. Book an amazing innovation speaker like Steve Wozniak at Speakers.com today.
