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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 July 4, 2025.
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 July 4, 2025."Innovation Academy Featured Story". University of Florida News. May 3, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
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 July 4, 2025.$1"Detroit Venture Partners Investments". Retrieved July 4, 2025. 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 July 4, 2025."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 July 4, 2025."ImpactEleven: Empowering Speakers for Lasting Impact". TechWave Digest. January 18, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
Linkner has written articles for Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, and the Detroit Free Press. He has delivered keynotes to organizations across multiple countries and is a multiple-time TEDx speaker.
He has been featured in:
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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 July 4, 2025.
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 July 4, 2025."Innovation Academy Featured Story". University of Florida News. May 3, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
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 July 4, 2025.$1"Detroit Venture Partners Investments". Retrieved July 4, 2025. 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 July 4, 2025."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 July 4, 2025."ImpactEleven: Empowering Speakers for Lasting Impact". TechWave Digest. January 18, 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
Linkner has written articles for Forbes, Inc. Magazine, Fast Company, and the Detroit Free Press. He has delivered keynotes to organizations across multiple countries and is a multiple-time TEDx speaker.
He has been featured in: