Josh linkner

• Big Little Breakthroughs: How Everyday Innovations Drive Oversized Results 
  Based on his latest research, Linkner debunks the myth that innovation requires high-risk "moonshots." He provides a practical framework for unleashing a high volume of micro-innovations across every level of an organization to build long-term resilience and growth.
• The Music of Business: Collaboration and Creativity under Pressure 
  Drawing on his background as a professional jazz guitarist, Linkner uses live music (often with a band) to illustrate the principles of real-time improvisation and "extreme" collaboration. He teaches leaders how to stay agile and creative when the "sheet music" of their industry changes.
• Find A Way™: The Innovative Leader’s Playbook
  Linkner introduces a systematic five-step framework for overcoming obstacles and seizing opportunities in volatile markets. He focuses on shifting the organizational mindset from "why we can't" to "how we might," empowering teams to become unstoppable problem-solvers.
• Innovation in the Age of AI: The Human-Tech Synergy
  This session explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and human creativity. Linkner provides a roadmap for using AI as a "springboard" for disruption while emphasizing the irreplaceable value of human empathy, intuition, and unconventional thinking.
• The Road to Reinvention: Driving Disruption and Transformation
  Focusing on the necessity of constant evolution, Linkner outlines the playbook for radical business transformation. He helps established companies adopt the grit and vision of a startup to avoid obsolescence and stay ahead of the competition.

speaker Bio: 

Josh Linkner is a prolific American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author who has dedicated his career to the study and practice of innovation. He is a five-time successful tech entrepreneur, having founded and led companies that collectively created over 10,000 jobs and sold for a combined value of over $200 million. He is the founder and former CEO of ePrize, which became the world's largest interactive promotion agency, serving 74 of the top 100 global brands. His frontline experience as a "hyper-growth" CEO provides him with a pragmatic, results-oriented perspective that sets his work apart from purely academic theorists.

Currently, Linkner serves as the Co-founder and Managing Partner of Muditā Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in groundbreaking technology startups. Over the past 30 years, he has mentored and invested in over 100 companies, helping to generate more than $1 billion in investor returns. He is also the Chairman of Platypus Labs, a global innovation research and training firm. His work in revitalizing urban centers through technology led to him being named a United States Presidential Champion of Change by President Barack Obama, and he has twice received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Linkner is a New York Times bestselling author of four books that have defined the modern conversation on business creativity. His first book, Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity, was named one of the top ten business books of the year. In The Road to Reinvention and Hacking Innovation, he explored the mechanics of disruption and the strategies used by the world’s most agile organizations. His most recent work, Big Little Breakthroughs, challenges the idea that innovation must be expensive or risky, advocating instead for a "micro-innovation" mindset that democratizes creativity for every employee.

A unique element of Linkner's expertise is his background as a professional jazz guitarist. Trained at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, he has performed over 1,000 concerts worldwide. He frequently incorporates the "jazz mindset"—defined by improvisation, risk-taking, and listening—into his business frameworks. This blend of artistry and analytical rigor allows him to help organizations move beyond rigid processes to find more fluid and adaptive ways of working in an increasingly unpredictable world.

As of 2026, Linkner remains one of the most sought-after speakers on the global stage, frequently appearing as a regular contributor to Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and The Detroit Free Press. His work is regularly featured in The Wall Street Journal and Harvard Business Review. Whether advising Fortune 500 boards or speaking to thousands of attendees, Linkner is on a mission to prove that creativity is not a rare gift but a disciplined skill that can be developed by anyone, anywhere, to solve the world's most complex challenges.

Summary: The "Eight Obsessions" of Everyday Innovators

A core pillar of Josh Linkner’s recent research is the "Eight Obsessions" framework, which he introduces as a toolkit for building an innovative culture. These mindsets are designed to help teams generate a high volume of "Big Little Breakthroughs":

• Fall in Love with the Problem: Don't focus on the solution first; deeply understand the customer's pain point.

• Start Before You're Ready: Avoid the trap of over-planning; use agile experimentation and "test kitchens."

• Break It to Fix It: Don't wait for something to fail before looking for a better way to do it.

• Reach for the Weird: Encourage unorthodox thinking and value "edge cases" as sources of inspiration.

• Use Every Drop of Toothpaste: Be radically resourceful and find creative ways to use existing assets.

• Don't Forget the Dinner Mint: Focus on the small, unexpected touches that delight customers and build loyalty.

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