Aaron Bare
Books, podcasts, video, and press — verified and organized in one place.
Comprehensive CV · 2026
Aaron Bare
Founder · Author · Strategist · AI Builder · Global Keynote Speaker · IAF Facilitator
A rare hybrid: a Level 5 AI full-stack developer, strategic architect, and growth operator who has generated over $4 billion in documented business outcomes. Founder of Extraordinary and creator of Conceptually — an AI-native platform turning ideas into businesses in days, not months. Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author (Exponential Theory, 2022 — endorsed by Daymond John). IAF Endorsed Facilitator (top 1% globally), serial entrepreneur (12 exits), and Fast Company Executive Board member. Worked in 100+ countries and all 50 U.S. states for NASA, Stanford, MIT, Google, Amazon, Coca-Cola, Daimler, and 500+ more.
Professional Experience
- Extraordinary: a network acceleration engine built on storytelling, strategic introductions, and high-trust collaboration.
- Conceptually: an AI-native business creation platform — idea → product → market → revenue in days.
- Level 5 AI full-stack developer building API-driven execution systems across media, CRM, product, and distribution.
- Deploys Lovable-based operator dashboards and end-to-end automation pipelines for AI-native companies.
- Led digital transformation for Fortune 500 companies globally.
- Fast Company Executive Board · Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.
- Board of Directors, Graphene-X.
- 7 books published; Exponential Theory (2022) is a WSJ, USA Today & #1 Amazon Bestseller in 10 categories.
- Endorsed by Daymond John (Shark Tank): "A Blueprint for Future Entrepreneurs."
- Keynote speaker at 100+ global events; faculty at Singularity University, ASU, and Thunderbird.
- Fast Company Executive Board contributor — innovation, leadership, and AI.
- Co-host of Bare Naked and The New F Word with N. Forbes Shannon (Mission Matters Media).
- IAF Endorsed Facilitator — top 1% globally; 1,000+ workshops in 100+ countries.
- Clients: NASA, Google, Amazon, Adobe, Coca-Cola, Daimler, Belfius Bank, Boeing, JP Morgan, and 500+ more.
- $4B+ in documented business outcomes through strategy, facilitation, and execution.
- Consulting with Oxford Leadership, WDHB, Kaos Pilot, Hyper Island, and Accenture.
- Lectured on entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital strategy.
- EIR at Thunderbird School of Global Management and Singularity University at NASA Ames.
- Arizona Charity of the Year (2019). $1.25M mental-health grant for veteran PTSD recovery.
- Co-Director, One Community Initiative: 150,000+ served; largest COVID testing/vaccine program in AZ.
- Co-created The Bridge Forum: national police-community trust dialogue initiative.
- Boards: Greater Phoenix Urban League, Junior Achievement. Steering: Blue Zones Project.
- Founded, scaled, and successfully exited Buzz Mouth — a full-service digital agency.
- Developed 100+ websites, apps, and platforms across industries.
- Began career as strategist-turned-full-stack developer (Netcentric Web Developer, Strategy College).
- Delivered enterprise technology and strategy solutions for Fortune 500 clients.
Entrepreneurial Ventures & Platforms Built
Books & Publications
WSJ, USA Today & #1 Amazon Bestseller (10 categories). Endorsed by Daymond John. Morgan James Publishing.
Nine keys of exponential leadership for entrepreneurs in business, government, and society.
Frameworks for innovation under systemic disruption.
Business, leadership, and personal-development titles across the catalog.
Selected Clients (500+)
Education
Continuing Executive Education & Certifications
- 2015 — Kaos Pilot · The Grove (Facilitation)
- 2014 — Northwestern (Content Marketing) · Michigan (Internet History)
- 2013 — Wharton (Gamification) · Jack Welch Institute (Change & Strategy)
- 2012 — Wizard Academy
- 2011 — Hyper Island
- 2010 — Cornell (Design Scholar)
- 2008 — Pragmatic Marketing Certified
- 2007 — Stanford GSB (Influence & Negotiation)
- 2006 — Harvard Law / MIT Sloan / Tufts (Negotiations)
- 2004 — Columbia Business School (Marketing Mgmt)
- 2002 — Six Sigma Black Belt
- 1995 — Harvard Berkman Center (Cybersecurity)
Career Timeline · 1995 → Today
Thirty years of building, launching, and selling.
Every launch, exit, faculty appointment, book, and signature platform — in chronological order. Filter by category to follow a single thread.
- 1995Education
BS in Business Administration
Indiana TechGraduated from Indiana Tech with a foundation in business administration.
Indiana Tech → - 1996Platform
Flagship Services Representative
The Vanguard Group · Valley Forge, PAJoined The Vanguard Group's Flagship Services group serving the firm's highest-net-worth clients — early grounding in client service, financial systems, and Fortune 500 operating discipline.
Vanguard Flagship Services → - 1998Platform
Joined Accenture as a Strategy Consultant
Accenture · ChicagoBegan career as a strategist-turned-full-stack Netcentric Web developer in Accenture's Strategy College, delivering enterprise technology for Fortune 500 clients.
Accenture → - 1999Education
MA in International Studies
Indiana UniversityCompleted a Master's in International Studies at Indiana University.
IU Hamilton Lugar School → - 2001Launched
Founded Buzz Mouth Digital Agency
Phoenix, AZLaunched a full-service digital agency that would go on to build 100+ websites, apps, and platforms across industries before exit.
See selected work → - 2001Platform
Began Strategic Facilitation Practice
Aaron Bare & Co.Started the facilitation arm that has since delivered 1,000+ workshops in 100+ countries for NASA, Google, Amazon, Coca-Cola, and 500+ orgs.
Book Aaron to facilitate → - 2004Platform
VP / Strategy at Jobing.com
Phoenix, AZJoined Jobing.com — the nation's largest locally-focused employment network — driving strategy and growth through its national expansion era (2004–2006).
Press: Jobing.com / Aaron Matos profile → - 2006Launched
Acquired NASP
Acquired the National Association of Sales Professionals and grew it to 60,000+ members.
NASP today → - 2007Book
Published First Book
First in a 7-book catalog spanning business, leadership, and personal development.
Aaron's books → - 2008Faculty
Lecturer & Entrepreneur-in-Residence
Arizona State UniversityBegan a 13-year run at ASU lecturing on entrepreneurship, innovation, and digital strategy.
ASU Entrepreneurship → - 2009Education
MBA in Global Management
Thunderbird School of Global ManagementCompleted the Thunderbird MBA — later returned as Entrepreneur-in-Residence.
Thunderbird → - 2010Launched
Launched Career Tours
The first career video network — reached 10M+ monthly users pre-YouTube dominance.
Portfolio → - 2011Civic
Co-Founded HeroZona Foundation
Scottsdale, AZCo-founded and served as Vice-Chairman of HeroZona — veteran mental health, community programs, and the largest COVID testing/vaccine effort in Arizona.
HeroZona Foundation → - 2012Launched
Launched Purposely
Student engagement platform that reached 1M+ students across 65+ universities.
Portfolio → - 2013Launched
Launched #1 Food App on Apple
Hit #1 in the App Store for 20 consecutive weeks; 1M+ downloads.
Portfolio → - 2014Launched
Launched ASU Startup School
Arizona State UniversityCo-architected ASU Startup School — a city-scale entrepreneurship curriculum that became one of the largest university-led founder programs in the country.
ASU Startup School → - 2014Launched
Launched 9M+ User Facebook Community
Built and operated a Facebook community reaching 9M+ weekly users at peak.
Portfolio → - 2015Exited / Sold
Exited Buzz Mouth — Sold to LaneTerralever
Phoenix, AZAfter 14 years and 100+ shipped sites, apps, and platforms, sold Buzz Mouth to LaneTerralever — one of Arizona's largest independent marketing agencies.
LaneTerralever press room → - 2015Launched
Launched Arizona Collaboratory
One of the earliest equity crowdfunding platforms in the U.S.
Portfolio → - 2016Platform
Tripled Sales at Kittyhawk (Aloft)
As fractional growth operator: tripled sales and doubled the client base.
Aloft Group → - 2017Platform
Doubled Sales at Y-Scouts
Executive search firm scaled to 2x revenue through repositioning and systems.
Y-Scouts → - 2018Faculty
Faculty at Singularity University
NASA Ames Research CenterJoined Singularity University as Entrepreneur-in-Residence and faculty — teaching exponential thinking to global founders and Fortune 500 executives.
Singularity → - 2018Platform
Quadrupled Revenue at Neuroscience Co.
Strategy and systems engagement that 4x'd top-line revenue.
Portfolio → - 2019Honor
HeroZona Foundation — Charity of the Year 2019
HeroZona FoundationHeroZona named Arizona Charity of the Year 2019. Secured a $1.25M mental-health grant for veteran PTSD recovery.
HeroZona Foundation → - 2019Platform
Scaled Cybersecurity Co. to 50,000 Clients
Growth and ops engagement that scaled the company to 50,000 active clients.
Portfolio → - 2020Book
Published Innovating During Crisis
Frameworks for leadership and innovation under systemic disruption.
Aaron's books → - 2020Honor
Flow Mask — XPRIZE Winner
Recognized by the XPRIZE Foundation for the Flow Mask innovation, delivering breakthrough respiratory protection during the global pandemic.
Portfolio → - 2020Civic
Co-Directed One Community Initiative
HeroZona FoundationServed 150,000+ Arizonans through the state's largest COVID testing and vaccination program.
HeroZona Foundation → - 2021Launched
Venture Cafe Phoenix — #1 Networking Event in Arizona
Powered by Extraordinary NetworkBrought the global Venture Cafe model to Phoenix — a weekly gathering place for founders, investors, and innovators that became the #1 networking event in Arizona and a cornerstone of the AZ startup ecosystem.
Venture Cafe Phoenix → - 2021Book
Published Reimagining Innovation
Nine keys of exponential leadership for entrepreneurs in business, government, and society.
Aaron's books → - 2021Faculty
Concluded ASU Faculty Run (13 Years)
Arizona State UniversityClosed out a 13-year run as Lecturer and Entrepreneur-in-Residence at ASU.
ASU Entrepreneurship → - 2022Book
Published Exponential Theory
WSJ, USA Today, and #1 Amazon Bestseller in 10 categories. Endorsed by Daymond John as "a blueprint for future entrepreneurs." Morgan James Publishing.
Read Exponential Theory → - 2022Platform
Head of Digital Transformation, Kin + Carta
London, UKLed digital transformation engagements for Fortune 500 clients globally.
Kin + Carta → - 2022Launched
Co-Founded U.S. Web3 Venture Studio
Co-founded a Web3 venture studio in the United States.
Portfolio → - 2022Launched
Arizona Afterdark — #1 Variety Comedy Show
Powered by Extraordinary NetworkCreated and produced Arizona Afterdark, recognized as the #1 variety comedy show in Arizona — a platform for local talent and community entertainment.
Portfolio → - 2023Launched
Launched Extraordinary
A network acceleration engine built on storytelling, strategic introductions, and high-trust collaboration.
Portfolio → - 2023Honor
Fast Company Executive Board
Invited to the Fast Company Executive Board and Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.
Fast Company Executive Board → - 2023Honor
Extraordinary Network — Arizona's Best Networking Platform
Extraordinary Network recognized as Arizona's best networking platform — connecting founders, investors, and innovators through high-trust storytelling and strategic introductions.
Portfolio → - 2024Exited / Sold
Kin + Carta Acquired by Valtech
London, UKKin + Carta acquired by Valtech — concluded the Head of Digital Transformation role.
Valtech acquisition announcement → - 2024Launched
Launched Conceptually
AI-native business creation platform — idea → product → market → revenue in days, not months.
Portfolio → - 2024Platform
Level 5 AI Full-Stack Operator
Shipped API-driven execution systems across media, CRM, product, and distribution for AI-native companies.
The Hero Journey → - 2024Launched
Celebrate Arizona
Powered by Extraordinary NetworkLaunched Celebrate Arizona, a flagship community event series showcasing Arizona's innovators, entrepreneurs, and culture-makers.
Portfolio → - 2025Exited / Sold
12 Companies Launched and Exited
Crossed 12 total companies launched, scaled, and exited across tech, media, education, and services.
Portfolio → - 2025Stage
100+ Countries · 500+ Client Orgs
Reached 100+ countries and 500+ client organizations — $4B+ in documented business outcomes and 3M+ people impacted.
Hire Aaron → - 2025Launched
Innovate Arizona
Powered by Extraordinary NetworkLaunched Innovate Arizona, a statewide innovation summit and program series bringing together Arizona's top entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders.
Portfolio → - 2026Book
Published It's Really Not That Serious
A reframe on ambition, play, and the credo — Always be curious. Have fun. Be extraordinary. The book and the movement.
Explore It's Really Not That Serious →
Aaron's books
Three books that anchor Aaron's work — and the full Mystery School curriculum. Affiliate links route through Amazon Associates.
Exponential Theory
The Power of Thinking Big
2022
Wall Street Journal, USA Today and #1 Amazon bestseller in 10 categories. The framework that mapped the AI-driven, compounding future before the headlines caught up — endorsed by Daymond John.
Study: 10x thinking, exponential systems, and the trust-density model.
Reimagining Innovation
2024
A field guide to the human, organizational and AI patterns that produce the next decade of breakthroughs — written for founders, executives and creative teams.
Journaling + Visualization: rewire how you frame problems and pre-experience the future you intend to build.
It's Really Not That Serious
2025
The mystery-school inversion: the play, presence and lightness that high performers rediscover when they stop carrying the world. Companion practices to dissolve resistance.
Meditation + Sensualization: somatic presence, nervous-system regulation and full-body imagination.
As an Amazon Associate, Aaron earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate links carry no extra cost to you.
Portfolio
6 shipped engagements
Every venture, platform, and transformation Aaron has architected, shipped, or scaled. Click any tile for the case study.
AI Infrastructure
Conceptually
Concept → operating company in days, not months.
AI Network
Extraordinary
Your network, but it actually goes to work for you.
AI Learning
HackerLabs.ai
Master AI by doing — hack anything.
AI Media
Streamfish
One platform. Every channel. Podcast OS for the AI era.
AI Performance
3x.fit
Get 3x stronger, faster, more capable — with AI in the loop.
AI Curation
100 Great Books
The essential library for a well-read life.
The complete record · auto-synced
Everything Aaron has shipped.
One scrollable list. Books, podcasts, talks, essays, press, and decks — newest first, every link verified.
Always be curious. Have fun. Be extraordinary.
Ready to build with Aaron?
One form. 24-hour reply. Speaking, facilitation, building, or the book.