Abhijit Verekar, speaker and author of Start at Zero

Speaking

Keynotes for public buyers who own the AI and ERP decision

Based on the frameworks in Start at Zero. Buyer-side only. No vendor money.

Abhijit "AV" Verekar advises cities, counties, higher ed, and large agencies on ERP and AI modernization from the government's side of the table. His keynotes give CIOs and CFOs a decision framework they can use before the demo theater starts.

6× Inc. 5000 CEO Buyer-side only 30+ public engagements YouTube @startatzeroAV
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Flagship keynote · 40 minutes + Q&A

Also available as 20-min fireside or 60-min keynote + workshop

AI Without a Named Owner

How Public Buyers Decide Before the Demo

Phase Zero for Public AI (Before the RFP)

If nobody owns your AI program, it is not a program. It is a press release waiting to fail. This keynote shows public-sector leaders how to name an owner, write the kill criteria, prove data readiness, and only then open the vendor door. Built for rooms where buyers are already in motion (selection, RFP, or live modernization), not awareness theater.

Walk-away outcomes

  • A clear answer to "who owns AI here?" before any pilot is funded
  • A Phase Zero checklist that stops demo theater before the RFP
  • Language a CIO or CFO can take to Monday's leadership meeting

Ideal rooms

City / county / state CIO–CFO tracks · housing authority leadership · HE finance/IT (Banner / Ellucian) · public digital and AI governance summits

Fee Unpaid for qualifying peer and association government rooms. Commercial and international stages: fee on request.

90-second reel coming this week

Cut in progress. Embed goes here when the file lands.
Also available Start at Zero ERP keynote · AI Comes of Age breakout · Phase Zero workshop

45–60 min · ERP / modernization rooms

Start at Zero: Why Government Modernization Fails

The structural traps behind public ERP failure, and the Phase Zero framework that prevents the next disaster before procurement starts. Best when the room is mid-selection or pre-RFP on core systems.

30–45 min · panel or breakout

AI Comes of Age: What Government Leaders Actually Need to Know

Capability vs vendor hype, readiness, and governance before saying yes. Use when the organizer wants a shorter AI slot, not the flagship keynote.

Half-day or full-day · workshop

Phase Zero Intensive

Leadership team applies Phase Zero to their own agency. Stakeholder map, decision rights, AI readiness gaps, 100-day plan.

Built for

Rooms where buyers are already in motion

Government conferences
ICMA, GFOA, NACo, NASCIO, state CIO, housing / HE leadership
Executive teams
City/county managers, CIOs, CFOs preparing a live buy
Not a fit
Pure vendor expo keynotes that require a paid product pitch

Book this keynote

Keynotes 20 / 40 / 60 minutes. Workshops half-day or full-day. Booking 2026–2027.
Ask for the flagship: AI Without a Named Owner.

Keynotes
20 / 40 / 60 minutes
Workshops
Half-day or full-day
Availability
Booking 2026–2027
For attendees
Book available for attendees

[email protected] · 865-415-3848

Avero Advisors · govai.averoadvisors.com · startatzero.averoadvisors.com

Prefer email or a call? Write [email protected] or call 865-415-3848 and name the flagship keynote.