Speaker applications for our Beyond Borders event on 1 July 2018 are now closed.  

Find out more information about our next Ideas Search, what we’re looking for and how to apply.

If you have further questions about the speaker application process please contact Ashleigh@tedxlondon.com.  

TEDxLondon relies on a core team of volunteers and a wider group of volunteers on the day for each event. If you’re dedicated to the TEDx mission and want to give your time to create our events and build our community, we want to hear from you.

Drop us a line on press@tedxlondon.com with your specific query and one of the team will get back to you within 48 hours.

Absolutely! Email info@tedxlondon.com and we’ll happily take it on board.

TED is the big brother in the family: it began in 1984 as a conference where technology, entertainment and design came together, and today covers almost all topics – from science to business to global issues – in more than 100 languages. 

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED created a programme called TEDx. TEDx events are independently organised and surface ideas about communities. They are true to the TED mission, as non-profit organisations devoted to spreading ideas. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx programme, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organised. This video adds some colour to the explanation.

TEDxLondon is the version of TEDx dedicated to surfacing hidden stories of London and Londoners. It’s run entirely by volunteers who do it for the joy of it, fuelled by snacks and support and your ongoing feedback.

OPENx is TEDxLondon’s auditions and training programme, open to anyone aged 16-25 who wants to bring their idea to the TEDxLondon stage. If you want to share a creative idea, an inspiring story, or a vision for the kind of society you want to live in, you can apply by sending us a video application. We’ll support successful candidates with coaching and writing workshops and the unique opportunity to speak at a TEDxLondon event. For more information and details, check out the OPENx page.

Applications for OPENx 2020 will open towards the end of 2019, and we will be scouting for speakers for our events in 2020. Sign up to the OPENx mailing list here to get the latest news.
Successful applicants should be available to attend 6 in-person workshops in central London. See the OPENx 2019 Key dates for more details.

Absolutely. OPENx is for finding new ideas and undiscovered voices. Our expert public speaking coaching will work with you to shape your idea into a great talk for a TEDxLondon event.
Share your vision for your city, tell us about the world you want to live in, or showcase an amazing project you’re working on! Remember, a TED or TEDx talk is an idea worth spreading, so please do not submit purely inspirational or motivational talks or ideas that are inaccurate or advertise a specific company or product. Although many TED or TEDx talks are inspirational, it’s always the speaker’s great idea or brilliant new perspective that motivates the audience to make a positive change.
Previous winners have spoken about chicken shops as important social hubs, the connection of technology and creativity, unconventional career paths and new ways to think about youth offending – and these are just a few examples.

Yes! We’re not looking for professional speakers, and we’ll be with you throughout the process providing expert coaching and support to help you prepare for your TEDx talk. And we know everyone gets nervous before getting up on the stage, which is why TED created a whole playlist on the topic.

You don’t have to live in London to participate, but there are a few important dates and workshops successful applicants need to be in central London for. See OPENx 2019 Key dates for details.

We understand everyone is busy and has other commitments, but we do need you to be available in person for the auditions day and 6 workshops. They all are invaluable opportunities to work on your talk, get personal coaching and mentoring as well as meet other participants, so definitely not dates to miss!