Dave Kerpen's exact net worth is not public, but a reasonable 2026 estimate is $10 million to $25 million. Kerpen is a serial entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, investor, and co-founder of Likeable Media, the social media agency that Carrie and Dave Kerpen sold to 10Pearls in 2021.
The estimate reflects the low-8-figure Likeable Media sale, the earlier Likeable Local exit, the December 2025 sale of Apprentice to Catapult Group Holdings, book royalties, paid speaking, advisory work, and startup investments through Kerpen Ventures. His exact ownership percentages, taxes, earn-out terms, current investment values, private assets, debts, and family finances are not public.
Quick Facts
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Full name | Dave Kerpen |
| Estimated net worth | $10 million to $25 million, not publicly verified |
| Known for | Likeable Media, Likeable Social Media, The Art of People, Get Over Yourself, Apprentice, and Kerpen Ventures |
| Primary work | Entrepreneur, author, investor, and keynote speaker |
| Major exit | Likeable Media sold to 10Pearls in 2021 |
| Recent exit | Apprentice sold to Catapult Group Holdings in December 2025 |
| Wife | Carrie Kerpen |
| Children | Three |
| Birthday | Not consistently published by strong public sources |
| Height | Not consistently published by strong public sources |
How Much Is Dave Kerpen Worth?
Dave Kerpen's net worth is best estimated at $10 million to $25 million. The strongest reason for that range is Likeable Media. They Got Acquired reported that the agency sold to 10Pearls in 2021 for a low-8-figure price, and Built to Sell reported that the accepted offer was around an 8.5x EBITDA multiple.
That does not mean every dollar of the sale became Dave Kerpen's personal net worth. The company was co-founded with Carrie Kerpen, deal proceeds can be split among owners, and taxes, advisors, earn-outs, and reinvestment can all affect the final personal number. Still, a low-8-figure agency exit plus later startup exits makes an estimate above a simple author-only figure reasonable.
Who Is Dave Kerpen?
Dave Kerpen is an American entrepreneur, author, investor, and speaker. His official bio describes him as a serial entrepreneur with seven businesses, three exits, five books, and a global keynote speaking career.
He is best known for turning social media and people-skills ideas into businesses, books, and speaking platforms. His public profile includes Inc.com contributor work, LinkedIn Influencer status, media appearances, investor activity through Kerpen Ventures, and nonprofit/community work through Grateful Giving and related roles.
Likeable Media and the 2021 Sale
Likeable Media is the centerpiece of Kerpen's financial story. Carrie and Dave Kerpen launched the agency after an unconventional sponsored wedding in 2006, then built it into a social media and content agency with dozens of employees and retainer clients.
They Got Acquired reported that Likeable Media had about 40 employees and roughly 30 larger retainer clients before the 2021 sale. The same report listed the buyer as 10Pearls, the price as low-8 figures, and the founders as Carrie Kerpen and Dave Kerpen.
Built to Sell adds useful context: the Kerpens saw the agency as close to 90% of their net worth before selling, walked away from one changed offer, and later accepted an offer at about 8.5x EBITDA. That history supports a materially higher estimate than pages that treat Kerpen only as a nonfiction author.
Apprentice, Likeable Local, and Other Companies
Kerpen's official site says he was previously founder and chairman of Likeable Local and that Likeable Local exited in 2019. Kerpen Ventures also describes him as the co-founder and co-CEO of Apprentice and co-founder and CEO of Remembering Live.
Apprentice added a newer financial event. A December 9, 2025 PR Newswire release announced that Next Level Catapult expanded its early-career talent capabilities through the acquisition of Apprentice. Kerpen was quoted as Apprentice's co-founder and described as an incoming board member and advisor.
The Apprentice sale terms were not publicly disclosed in the sources reviewed, so it should be treated as additional upside rather than a precise number. It is still relevant because it confirms another exit after Likeable Media.
Books, Speaking, and Media Work
Kerpen is a New York Times bestselling author. His books include Likeable Social Media, Likeable Business, The Art of People, and Get Over Yourself. His official site now describes him as the author of five books.
Book royalties alone usually do not explain a $10 million-plus estimate, but they strengthen his platform. They support speaking fees, consulting demand, LinkedIn audience growth, media credibility, and advisory opportunities. His official bio says he has been featured by outlets including The New York Times, Today, CBS Early Show, BBC, and Financial Times.
Kerpen Ventures and Investing
Kerpen Ventures focuses on pre-seed and seed-stage startups, especially companies that are woman-owned, BIPOC-owned, or social-impact oriented. That investing activity can add meaningful upside, but private startup investments are hard to value from the outside.
Because portfolio values can swing sharply and many seed investments remain illiquid, this page does not treat Kerpen Ventures as a fixed cash value. It is included as part of his long-term wealth-building profile rather than a disclosed asset figure.
Wife, Family, Birthday, and Height
Dave Kerpen is married to Carrie Kerpen, his Likeable Media co-founder and longtime business partner. His official bio says he is a father of three children.
Dave Kerpen's exact birthday, age, and height are not consistently published by strong public sources. Some older profiles include exact personal details and education claims that are not supported by the strongest current sources, so those details are not repeated here.
What Other Pages Get Wrong
Some pages understate Dave Kerpen's wealth by treating him only as a nonfiction author. Others repeat thin or outdated biographical claims without reflecting the Likeable Media exit, Likeable Local exit, Apprentice sale, Kerpen Ventures, or his current author-and-speaker platform.
The practical way to estimate Kerpen is to start with the business exits, then add books, speaking, advisory work, and investments. That evidence supports a $10 million to $25 million range instead of an author-only estimate or an unsupported exact number.
Estimate Notes
The $10 million to $25 million estimate reflects the 2021 Likeable Media sale, the earlier Likeable Local exit, the 2025 Apprentice acquisition, book royalties, speaking fees, advisory work, Kerpen Ventures investments, and public reputation. His exact deal proceeds, equity splits, taxes, earn-out terms, investment portfolio value, real estate, private assets, debts, and family finances are not public.