Josh Linkner

Josh Linkner

MI, US

34 reviews

6 verified

Serial entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and venture capital investor

34 reviews

6 verified

Josh Linkner - a New York Times bestselling author - is a rare blend of business, art, and science. 


On the business front, he’s been the founder and CEO of five tech companies, which created over 10,000 jobs and sold for a combined value of over $200 million. He’s the co-founder and Managing Partner of Muditā (mooDEE-tah) Venture Partners - an early-stage venture capital firm investing in groundbreaking technologies. Over the last 30 years, he's helped over 100 startups launch and scale, creating over $1 billion in investor returns. He's twice been named the EY Entrepreneur of The Year and is the recipient of the United States Presidential Champion of Change Award. 


While proud of his business success, his roots are in the dangerous world of jazz music. He’s been playing guitar in smoky jazz clubs for 40 years, studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, and has performed over 1000 concerts around the world. 


His experiences in both business and music led him to become one of the world’s foremost experts on innovation. Josh is the co-founder and Chairman of Platypus Labs, a global research, training, and consulting firm. Today, he’s on a mission to help leaders Find A Way™ through creative problem-solving, inventive thinking, and ingenuity.

Josh Linkner - a New York Times bestselling author - is a rare blend of business, art, and science. 


On the business front, he’s been the founder and CEO of five tech companies, which created over 10,000 jobs and sold for a combined value of over $200 million. He’s the co-founder and Managing Partner of Muditā (mooDEE-tah) Venture Partners - an early-stage venture capital firm investing in groundbreaking technologies. Over the last 30 years, he's helped over 100 startups launch and scale, creating over $1 billion in investor returns. He's twice been named the EY Entrepreneur of The Year and is the recipient of the United States Presidential Champion of Change Award. 


While proud of his business success, his roots are in the dangerous world of jazz music. He’s been playing guitar in smoky jazz clubs for 40 years, studied at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, and has performed over 1000 concerts around the world. 


His experiences in both business and music led him to become one of the world’s foremost experts on innovation. Josh is the co-founder and Chairman of Platypus Labs, a global research, training, and consulting firm. Today, he’s on a mission to help leaders Find A Way™ through creative problem-solving, inventive thinking, and ingenuity.

FIND A WAY: A proven innovation framework to solve problems, accelerate opportunity and sustain growth

As we enter a new era of business, 50% of leaders in the United States have lost confidence in their ability to make decisions in the face of uncertainty. The level of disruption, technology threats, and volatility can be paralyzing. We are in a leadership crisis and must embrace a new model to meet today's challenges. Prolific entrepreneur, venture capital investor, and innovation expert Josh Linkner helps you Find A Way™ through his proven 5-step innovation framework for cultivating...

InnovationEntertainment-basedEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changing

RETHINK. REBOOT. REINVENT.: How to drive disruption and accelerate transformation

We’re living in a rate of change like none other in history. The hard truth is that we can no longer rely on the models of the past and expect the same results. In this energizing and actionable keynote, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of rapid change and how to respond confidently and intentionally. New York Times bestselling author and lifetime disruptor Josh Linkner shares a proven model for you to take control and reinvent your own future. 


This keynote...

InnovationInspirational / Life-changing

BIG LITTLE BREAKTHROUGHS: How small, everyday innovations drive oversized results

he pressure to generate big ideas can feel overwhelming. We know that bold innovations are critical in these disruptive and competitive times, but when it comes to breakthrough thinking, we often freeze up. Instead of shooting for a $10 billion IPO or a Nobel Prize, the most prolific innovators focus on Big Little Breakthroughs – small, creative acts that unlock massive rewards over time. The Big Little Breakthroughs framework provides a specific and practical approach to unlocking dormant...

InnovationEntertainment-basedEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changing

THE INNOVATIVE LEADER: A modern framework to lead with confidence in the face of uncertainty and change

The business you're running today isn't the business you'll be running next year. In this moment of volatility and uncertainty, we are being called to lead in a radically different way… more decisive, creative, and adaptable. So how can we use this defining moment to ensure relevancy, sustainability, and success in the future? In this inspiring and practical keynote, battle-tested CEO, venture capital investor, and leadership expert Josh Linkner delivers a modern and accessible framework...

InnovationEntertainment-basedAudience ActivityInspirational / Life-changing

THE MUSIC OF BUSINESS: What business leaders can learn about collaboration, creativity, and performance under pressure from the mysterious world of jazz.

The mysterious and dangerous world of jazz is a caldron of spontaneous creativity. And in times of radical change and uncertainty, it serves as the perfect model for modern leadership. Professional jazz guitarist and prolific entrepreneur Josh Linkner connects the dots between jazz and business, helping to unlock the secrets of some of the world’s most creative geniuses. Using live jazz as a metaphor for collaborative innovation, this session is entertaining, inspiring, and directly...

CreativityEntertainment-basedAudience ActivityInspirational / Life-changing

DISCIPLINED DREAMING: A proven system to drive breakthrough creativity.

In our modern AI-driven world, creativity has become the currency of success. It’s the one thing that can’t be outsourced or automated; the indisputable competitive advantage. We are all hard-wired to be creative, yet most of us have underdeveloped creative skills. And today, more than ever before, creative problem-solving and inventive thinking are crucial to overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities. Based on the breakaway New York Times bestselling book published in 19 languages...

InnovationEntertainment-basedEducational / InformativeInspirational / Life-changing

34 recommend Josh

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Ford Motor Company

On-Site

B.F.J., Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Company

"A journey that will lead to better ideas and breakthrough thinking."

Groupon

On-Site

E.L., CEO, Groupon

"Josh Linkner is a truly special entrepreneur; Part of a rare breed."

On-Site

E.M.J.

"When Josh speaks, business improves."

ABC Television

On-Site

M.F., Vice President, ABC Television

"Linkner hit the ball out of the park!"

AOL

On-Site

S.C., Co-Founder, AOL

"Powerful."

Evanta

On-Site

C.M., Evanta

"More impactful than you can imagine."

Visa

On-Site

J.H., Visa

"Entertaining and enlightening."

eBay

On-Site

B.O., eBay

"Compelling, insightful, and practical."

Heineken

On-Site

R.C., Heineken

"It was quite literally one of the most motivating and through provoking two hours of my professional career. I was blown away!"

Garden Fresh Foods

On-Site

D.Z., President, Garden Fresh Foods

"Inspiring."

CBRE

On-Site

M.Z., CBRE

"You've had a huge impact on our group and the way I approach business."

Oakwood Health System

On-Site

T.B., Oakwood Health System

"Awesome! Best speaker in 15 years! Just what our group needed."

Public Words

On-Site

N.M.P.D.., President, Public Words

"One of the most creative thinkers on the planet."

Exact Target

On-Site

S.D., CEO and Co-Founder, Exact Target

"Inspiration through engaging stories, powerful examples, and easy-to-follow processes."

Quicken Loans

On-Site

B.E., CEO, Quicken Loans

"Energizing."

Deloitte Consulting

On-Site

L.R., Deloitte Consulting

"His passion is contagious."

The Coca-Cola Company

On-Site

K.T., Group Director, The Coca-Cola Company

"Fabulous!"

Daimler Financial

On-Site

J.R., Vice President, Daimler Financial

"Josh Linkner made a huge impact on our organization."

Associated Financial Group

On-Site

E.O., Associated Financial Group

"Your presentation was phenomenal. I'm leaving today with renewed energy, ideas and enthusiasm."

Land O'Lakes

On-Site

T.P., Land O'Lakes

"Great flair and skill."

Group M

On-Site

S.P., Group M

"Amazing."

ESPN

On-Site

V.R., ESPN

"Terrific! Our people were very engaged and had some great takeaways. You definitely make an impact."

Gannett

On-Site

S.S., Gannett

"I again want to tell you how inspiring your words were. Your passion was absolutely magnetic."

Medtronic

On-Site

G.F.M.P.D.., Medtronic

"Awesome, awesome, awesome!!! Thank you Josh, you nailed your message and nicely incorporated our company into your talk."

Berkadia

On-Site

E.K., EVP, Berkadia
Verified @berkadia.com

We had Josh speak to our sales team that did $32 billion of business in 2017 about technology and innovation. The best take away is you don't need to be a tech person to be creative. Josh showed the roadmap to unleashing that creativity!! Kudos Josh!!! Let's be disruptive!!

Nu Skin

On-Site

D.K., Director of Leadership Development, Nu Skin
Verified @nuskin.com

Thanks so much for your message that you delivered to our group on Saturday. It was spot on and you did a wonderful job in tailoring it to our group. We are receiving very good feedback from those that heard your message. Thanks again for all of your efforts in partnering with us in delivering the message that our top sales leaders needed to hear.

CIBC Capital Markets

On-Site

J.S., Senior Marketing Consultant, CIBC Capital Markets
Verified @cibc.com

Josh has a special way of injecting new ideas, new perspectives and what's possible through our own innate creativity if we tap into it. To see the tangible effect he was making in the room was incredible, and I know everyone walked away impacted by his messages - both professionally and personally.

Duck Creek Technologies

On-Site

T.C., Global Events Director, Duck Creek Technologies
Verified @duckcreek.com

We've had such great comments back from your keynote speech and I honestly believe it took our event to the next level. You tied your message to our event seamlessly and people keep talking about your stories you shared. When you were speaking, I really connected with the 5 obsession of innovators and have used a lot of these principles in my career. I like to tackle a problem by "judo flipping" something and the fall down 7 times, stand up 8 fits me to a tee!

Bluewater Technologies

On-Site

S.S., Managing Director, Bluewater Technologies
Verified @bluewatertech.com

Josh provides a thought-provoking, witty perspective on what it means to be innovative. Your team will absolutely love his content. Our staff walked away energized and eager to dig back into their projects, with new views on how to approach challenges presented to them. Hands down one of the best investments we've made in development in years.

Penn Mutual

On-Site

A.F., VP, Distribution, Penn Mutual
Verified @pennmutual.com

Josh's experience, creativity and knowledge provide a unique and inspiring opportunity to step outside of what is known and comfortable. Not only am I more innovative but I am gaining valuable actionable steps. You won't be disappointed having Josh!

Genomic Health

On-Site

J.V., Chief Commercial Officer, Genomic Health

Your ideas and energy truly jumpstarted a number of initiatives. You were an "11" out of "10"!

M30 Productions

On-Site

J.O.C., Managing Partner, M30 Productions

Excellent! Best innovation speaker we have seen.

Deloitte Services LP

On-Site

D.E., Senior Marketing Manager – Tax, Deloitte Services LP

"Thank you, Josh! Your keynote was spot-on and the comments I'm hearing in the hallway and from our partners are all very, very positive. You peppered our conference theme throughout and left attendees with some specific to-do's and takeaways which was great."

Dell

On-Site

A.J., Talent Management Lead, Infrastructure Services Group, Dell

Thank you for all of your help. Josh was incredible! Kicked off our summit event in a great way. It was a great experience and the feedback was off the charts."