SpeakUp is an AI-driven speaker booking platform that connects event organizers, journalists, podcasters, and companies with a large pool of verified speakers. Its matching engine uses structured event briefs and detailed speaker profiles to suggest relevant experts in hours instead of weeks, with mobile apps, no bureau commissions, and a global marketplace of 70,000+ speakers across 13 formats.
Key Features:
AI-powered matching engine: Uses event details like format, topic, language, location, budget, and audience to rank the most relevant speakers automatically.
Structured event requests: Captures all critical information in a single form so organizers and speakers skip the messy email back-and-forth.
Verified speaker profiles: Includes credentials, past talks, media samples, and reviews so organizers can assess quality and fit quickly.
Multi-format marketplace: Supports 13 speaking formats, from keynotes and panels to podcast guests, corporate trainers, and guest lecturers.
Direct web and in-app messaging: Lets organizers and speakers negotiate, share details, and confirm bookings without intermediaries.
Analytics & insights: Tracks requests, response times, and outcomes so teams can refine how they source and select speakers over time.
Pros
No booking commissions: Organizers pay speakers directly, avoiding the 20–30 percent cuts typical with traditional bureaus.
Fast time-to-match: Curated shortlists usually appear within about 24 hours, which suits tight event-planning timelines.
Mobile-first experience: Full-featured iOS and Android apps, notifications, and in-app messaging keep both sides responsive on the move.
Large, global talent pool: 100,000+ active users and tens of thousands of verified speakers across 28+ countries give decent diversity.
Balanced marketplace design: Clear flows for both organizers and speakers help keep opportunities and applications moving steadily.
Cons
Integration maturity is unclear: The homepage focuses on native tools rather than deep integrations with CRMs, marketing platforms, or event software.
Input-quality dependence: AI matching works best when organizers write rich briefs and speakers maintain detailed profiles, which not every user will do consistently.
Who is Using SpeakUp?
Event Organizers: Using it to source keynote speakers, panelists, and moderators for conferences, summits, and internal events.
Corporate and HR/L&D Teams: Booking trainers and presenters for workshops, leadership retreats, and learning programs.
Journalists & Podcasters: Finding vetted experts and commentators for interviews, stories, and recurring shows.
Professional Speakers and Subject-matter Experts: Building profiles, getting matched with paid engagements, and managing deal flow from a single hub.
Uncommon Use Cases: Used by university event offices to secure guest lecturers more efficiently; Adopted by internal communications teams to line up presenters for town halls and all-hands meetings.
Pricing:
For Speakers
Explorer: $0 per month. Includes basic AI speaker matching, feedback and marketplace discounts, 5 applications per month, 10 replies per month, 1 active service, and limited saved events and requests.
Professional: $29 per month. Includes 1 intro video, organizer messaging, increased AI matching priority, advanced recommendations, 30 applications per month, 50 replies per month, 3 active services, 2 request managers, and occasional profile boosts.
Expert: $79 per month. Includes up to 3 intro videos, high AI matching priority, smart recommendations with priority ranking, 100 applications per month, 200 replies per month, 10 active services, 5 request managers, 5 event managers, and 24/7 priority support.
Authority: $149 per month. Includes unlimited intro videos, maximum AI matching priority and visibility boosts, unlimited applications and replies, unlimited active services, up to 20 request and event managers, and 24/7 priority support.
For Organizers
Starter: $0 per month. Includes 1 active event, 3 speaker requests, limited speaker search access, AI speaker matching, speaker applications, chat, and 1 team seat.
Growth: $59 per month. Includes 5 active events, 20 speaker requests, full speaker search with advanced filters, candidate pipeline, 100 direct invites per month, private speaker requests, and 3 team seats.
Professional: $127 per month. Includes 15 active events, 75 speaker requests, 500 direct invites per month, dedicated onboarding, annual reporting, faster support, and 10 team seats.
Enterprise: $179 per month. Includes unlimited events, unlimited speaker requests and invites, custom application forms, dedicated onboarding, annual reports, unlimited team seats, and 24/7 SLA-backed support.
Disclaimer: Please note that pricing information may not be up to date. For the most accurate and current pricing details, refer to the official SpeakUp website.
What Makes SpeakUp Unique?
SpeakUp stands out by treating speaker booking as an AI-matching problem rather than a manual rolodex exercise. Its structured requests, large verified marketplace, and mobile-first design help event teams move from idea to confirmed booking in a few days, all while sidestepping commission-heavy bureaus. Add visible security and compliance standards and it starts to look like a tool built with serious enterprise use in mind, not just a glossy directory.
How We Rated It:
Accuracy and Reliability: 4.6/5
Ease of Use: 4.5/5
Functionality and Features: 4.4/5
Performance and Speed: 4.7/5
Customization and Flexibility: 4.2/5
Data Privacy and Security: 4.8/5
Support and Resources: 4.3/5
Cost-Efficiency: 4.6/5
Integration Capabilities: 3.9/5
Overall Score: 4.4/5
Smart Speaker Matching For Busy Event Teams
SpeakUp delivers strong value for organizers and speakers who are tired of slow bureau workflows and scattered outreach. Its AI matching, global verified marketplace, and mobile-native experience make it especially appealing for modern event, media, and corporate teams that want speed and transparency in how they find and book expert voices, with only modest trade-offs around integrations and pricing clarity.
