The Road to Reinvention: Lessons from the Front Lines of Detroit’s Rebirth

Underwritten by GMB Architects + Engineers and Miller Johnson

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linknerDetroit’s fight back from the brink is an inspiring tale of resilience told first-hand by Josh Linkner whose grit and passion are playing a critical role in the city’s revitalization. Linkner is a driving force in Detroit’s comeback; among his many honors—“Detroit Executive of the Year”, the region’s “CEO of the Year” and “Michiganian of the Year.” As the CEO of Detroit Venture Partners, he is helping the city he loves rise from the ashes and reconnect to its entrepreneurial and technological roots. Linkner’s heartfelt talk energizes audiences with the power of possibility. It’s also a cautionary tale of how Detroit, once a birthplace of innovation and a vibrant city, succumbed to the evil forces of protectionism, blame, and bureaucracy.

Linkner is the New York Times bestselling author of Disciplined Dreaming: A Proven System to Drive Breakthrough Creativity, named one of the top 10 business books of 2011 by Amazon.com, and his latest, The Road to Reinvention. He is the CEO and Managing Partner of Detroit Venture Partners, helping to rebuild his hometown of Detroit, Michigan by backing passionate entrepreneurs who can make an impact through their own innovative ideas.

Josh is the founder and former CEO of ePrize, the largest interactive promotion agency in the world serving 74 of the top 100 brands. He also founded, built, and successfully sold three other technology companies. The businesses he’s founded have sold for a combined value of over $250 million. He has also been on the Board of Directors of over 50 organizations including startups, a major hospital system, and several non-profits. He has been involved in raising over $120 million of venture capital and has served as an advisor to hundreds of businesses worldwide.

As a regular contributor to Inc., Forbes, and the Detroit Free Press, Josh’s inspiring message of creative leadership and personal success has reached millions around the world. He has been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and was a President Barack Obama Champion of Change Award recipient. His latest book—The Road to Reinvention: How to Drive Disruption and Accelerate Transformation is widely expected to set the new standard on the topic of reinvention.

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Josh Linkner is a venture capitalist, tech entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author of Disciplined Dreaming and The Road to Reinvention, and a top-rated innovation keynote speaker. As Founding Partner of Detroit Venture Partners, he helps startups disrupt the old guard while helping to rebuild his hometown of Detroit, Michigan. Josh is on a mission to drive innovation, creativity and reinvention in individual lives, businesses and cities. And he also plays a mean jazz guitar.

  • Founder and Former CEO, ePrize
  • CEO and Managing Partner, Detroit Venture Partners
  • New York Times Bestselling Author