Josh Linkner

Joshua M. "Josh" Linkner (born July 28, 1970) is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author, and keynote speaker. He is the founder of several companies, including the interactive promotion agency ePrize, and the author of five books on innovation and creativity in business, including the 2021 release Big Little Breakthroughs."Author Talks: Josh Linkner on how everyday people can become everyday innovators". McKinsey & Company. April 26, 2021. Retrieved 2025-07-04.

Josh Linkner
Born	(1970-07-28) July 28, 1970 (age 54)
Nationality	American
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, author, venture capitalist, keynote speaker
Known for	ePrize, Detroit Venture Partners, Mudita Venture Partners, ImpactEleven, Disciplined Dreaming, Big Little Breakthroughs
Website	JoshLinkner.com

Early Life and Education

Linkner was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and launched his first business at age 11. He was born to a Jewish family and has spoken about how his heritage shaped his values and resilience, stating that "being Jewish gives you a leg up....As Jews, we have a rich legacy of resiliency, a rich heritage of overcoming odds, We don’t make excuses." He is also an accomplished jazz guitarist, having studied at the Berklee College of Music and performed professionally from his teens. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in advertising from the University of Florida."Meet Josh". JoshLinkner.com. Retrieved 2025-07-04."Innovation Academy Featured Story". University of Florida News. May 3, 2021. Retrieved 2025-07-04.

Career

Entrepreneurship and Business Ventures

Linkner founded several companies including ePrize, an interactive promotion agency, where he served as CEO and chairman.Bounds, Gwendolyn (September 6, 2005). "Building Buzz Online". The Wall Street Journal. In 2010, he became CEO and Managing Partner of Detroit Venture Partners, a venture capital firm focused on revitalizing Detroit through entrepreneurship and technology. Its portfolio has included Rockbot, Detroit Labs, and Are You a Human. Linkner's efforts to foster innovation in Detroit during this time were profiled in a Microsoft feature highlighting entrepreneurs working to revive the city."Entrepreneurs help revive Detroit with heart and grit". Microsoft. November 17, 2014. Retrieved 2025-07-04.$1"Detroit Venture Partners Investments". Retrieved 2025-07-04. General partners have included Earvin "Magic" Johnson."Magic Johnson joins Detroit Venture Partners". Crain's Detroit. September 12, 2011.

On November 4, 2014, Linkner announced he would step down as CEO of Detroit Venture Partners to focus on writing and speaking."Linkner Steps Down from DVP". Detroit Business Journal. November 4, 2014. He later became a partner at High Level Marketing, a Michigan-based digital marketing agency."Josh Linkner joins High Level Marketing". Crain's Detroit. September 1, 2014.

In 2023, Linkner co-founded Mudita Venture Partners, a Midwest-focused early-stage venture capital firm dedicated to investing in purpose-driven startups in undercapitalized markets. The firm closed its debut fund at $85 million in October 2023 and announced a $125 million Fund II in June 2025 to expand its mission of supporting high-growth startups outside traditional tech hubs."Detroit-based Mudita Venture Partners launches $125 million Fund II". GlobeNewswire. June 25, 2025. Retrieved 2025-07-04."Mudita Venture Partners closes $85 million raise". Crain's Detroit. October 3, 2023.

Linkner is also a co-founder of ImpactEleven, a speaker coaching firm."About Us – ImpactEleven". ImpactEleven. Retrieved 2025-07-04."ImpactEleven: Empowering Speakers for Lasting Impact". TechWave Digest. January 18, 2023. Retrieved 2025-07-04.

Public Speaking and Media Work

In January 2024, Linkner signed an exclusive speaking representation agreement with the Washington Speakers Bureau (WSB)."Josh Linkner Speaker Profile". Washington Speakers Bureau. Retrieved 2025-07-04. He is a frequent contributor to business publications and conferences.

Publications

Linkner is the author of five books on creativity, leadership, and innovation:

Leaning Forward: Surviving/Winning in the Future of Interactive Marketing (2007), ISBN 978-1598584288

Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity (2011), ISBN 978-0470922224 – a New York Times bestseller, translated into multiple languages.

The Road to Reinvention: How to Drive Disruption and Accelerate Transformation (2014), ISBN 978-0470923436 – also a New York Times bestseller.

Hacking Innovation: The New Growth Model from the Sinister World of Hackers (2017), ISBN 978-1499902297

Big Little Breakthroughs: How Small, Everyday Innovations Drive Oversized Results (2021), ISBN 978-1642936773

These works have been featured in major outlets including Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and Fast Company, and have received coverage in major business media.

External links

Official website

Recognition

Linkner was named a Champion of Change by President Barack Obama in 2011 for his work in fostering youth entrepreneurship."Caught in the Act of Doing Things Right". The White House. August 24, 2011. Retrieved 2025-07-04.

Additional sources documenting Linkner’s work and public recognition include:

"Library of Congress Name Authority File: Josh Linkner". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2025-07-04.

"Interactive Promotions Agency ePrize Leaps to No. 185 Among the 2006 Inc. 500". The Free Library. August 23, 2006. Retrieved 2025-07-04.

"EPrize's Linkner to discuss creative solutions at Lawrence Tech May 1". Lawrence Technological University. April 27, 2012. Retrieved 2025-07-04.

"Noted businessman and best-selling author Josh Linkner joins University of Michigan-Dearborn". University of Michigan-Dearborn. May 23, 2011. Retrieved 2025-07-04.

Wattrick, Jeff T. (August 17, 2011). "White House to honor Detroiters Torya Blanchard, Josh Linkner as 'champions of change'". MLive.com. Retrieved 2025-07-04.

"Entrepreneur Of The Year Hall of Fame". Ernst & Young. Retrieved 2025-07-04.