John Torrens

Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice, Deputy Department Chair of EEE
John
  • Email Contact Me
  • Phone 315-443-3486
  • Department Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises
  • Office 534
Dr. Torrens is an award-winning Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice and a three-time Inc. 5000 entrepreneur. He is a healthcare and education entrepreneur with 25 years of leading high-growth companies with experience in developing high-performing teams, raising capital, and both buy/sell side M&A. Dr. Torrens is a faculty member of the Syracuse University Whitman School of Management’s Department of Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises and President of Sprout Therapy Group. He has been an early-stage investor in cannabis companies since 2017. He is a frequent guest speaker and executive education instructor in the areas of entrepreneurship, strategy, and corporate innovation. Dr. Torrens is a TEDx speaker (ADHD as an Entrepreneur’s Superpower), and author of the book Lightning in a Bottle: How Entrepreneurs Can Harness Their ADHD to Win. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and served in multiple volunteer leadership positions including a term on the International Board of Directors (2013-2015).

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Ph.D., Business Administration, Northcentral University M.S., Speech-Language Pathology, Syracuse University B.A., Psychology, State University of New York at Potsdam
Teaching Related Activities
•Redesigned the syllabus and course delivery format for IDS 402
•Developed a series of mini-cases based on YPO member companies attending a London Business School seminar
•Assisted in the cultivation of subject companies for EEE421
•Developed recorded multiple teaching modules for Boots2Business 8-week on-line course.
•Developed and delivered multiple modules for Boots2Business 2-day on-site training.
• Developed and delivered multiple train-the-trainer modules for Boots2Business 2-day on-site training.
•Developed and recorded a series of business plan lab lectures for participants in the Citi Bank Cares Business Plan Competition.
• Mentored 2 new EEE Professors of Practice during in the Fall of 2011 and Spring of 2012.
•Organized a series of help sessions and workshops for faculty who teach EEE457
•Manage and Coordinate the Whitman Capstone course.
• Contributed several case studies and in-class lectures for the Certificate of Advanced Study in Sustainable Enterprise (CASSE).
Founder/CEO exits, ADHD and its link to Entrepreneurship/Innovation
  • Dec 31, 2023

    Received - Inc 5000

    Sprout Therapy Group
  • Nov 30, 2023

    Received - CUSE50

    Syracuse University
  • Aug 01, 2018

    Inc 5000

    Inc. Magazine
  • Apr 15, 2018

    Outstanding EEE Faculty Member

    EEE
  • Apr 13, 2018

    TEDx Speaker

    TEDx Syracuse University
  • May 01, 2016

    Fulbright Roster Specialist

    Fulbright
  • May 01, 2015

    Received - YPO Legacy Award

    Young Presidents Organization
  • Jan 01, 2014

    Received - 2013-2014 Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Teaching Recognition Award

    Syracuse University
  • Jan 01, 2012

    Outstanding Entrepreneurship Educator Award

    Syracuse University
  • Jan 01, 2007

    Fast Track 50 Recipient for owning one of the 50 fastest growing companies in Syracuse

  • Jan 01, 2006

    Fast Track 50 Recipient for owning one of the 50 fastest growing companies in Syracuse

  • Jan 01, 2005

    Fast Track 50 Recipient for owning one of the 50 fastest growing companies in Syracuse

  • Jan 01, 2004

    Syracuse 40 under 40

  • An Investor’s Guide to Cannabis and Hemp

    March 06, 2020 420intel.com

  • Psychological Effects of Celebrity Endorsements in the Cannabis Industry

    February 24, 2020 greencamp.com

  • John Torrens on Leadership

    November 19, 2019 syracuse.com

  • What You Should Know About Investing in Cannabis - Even Martha Stewart is cashing in

    March 14, 2019 Willamette Week

  • What you should know about investing in cannabis

    March 14, 2019 420Intel

  • Legalizing recreational marijuana shouldn’t worry New York residents

    March 04, 2019 Daily Orange

  • Cannabis stocks mostly higher after FDA head promises April talks on CBD regulation

    March 01, 2019 MarketWatch

  • Martha Stewart Is Launching Her Own CBD Line

    February 28, 2019 Forbes

  • How to balance passion and profitability

    February 02, 2019 Kahleej Times

  • Anticipation Is Running High for Canadian Cannabis Sales

    October 16, 2018 thestreet.com

  • How to Tell If Your Business is Growing Too Quickly (and What to Do About It)

    July 27, 2018 Business Insider/Business.com

  • Marijuana legalization in New York could spark billions in sales, analysis finds

    July 26, 2018 MassLive.com

  • 4 Ways To Transform Your Passion Into An Amazing Business Idea

    March 11, 2018 Entrepreneur.com

  • Are Online Graduate And Professional Programs A Scam Or An Opportunity?

    October 10, 2017 Forbes

  • California Wildfires Threaten Thousands of Cannabis Farms

    October 10, 2017 Leafly.com