Available to book
Josh Linkner
Business Strategy
Innovation
Effective Leadership
Unlock creative potential with Josh Linkner, speaker and innovation expert. Josh helps organizations drive growth through creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking, delivering insights backed by five successful tech exits and the Presidential Champion of Change Award.
Author
Josh is a highly creative troublemaker. He passionately believes that every individual possesses an incredible capacity for creativity, and he is determined to unleash innovative thinking and foster creative problem-solving to help leaders, individuals, and communities thrive.
With a proven track record, Josh has founded and served as CEO of five technology companies, which collectively sold for over $200 million. He is also an accomplished author, having written four books, including the New York Times bestsellers Disciplined Dreaming and The Road to Reinvention.
Josh has made significant investments in and provided mentorship to more than 100 startups. As a founding partner of Detroit Venture Partners, he actively contributes to the growth and success of entrepreneurial ventures.
Josh's entrepreneurial prowess has earned him prestigious accolades, including being named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year twice, as well as receiving the United States Presidential Champion of Change Award.
If you are seeking to unlock your own creative potential or unravel the secrets of launching a successful business, spending time with Detroit's most entrepreneurial son is a must.
Topics, sessions and talks
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. — Facing increasing challenges and competitive threats — Craving a new approach to harness their full creative potential — Struggling to keep up with the pace of innovation
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. — Facing uncertainty and volatility. — Seeking better ways to drive the outcomes they crave the most. — Struggling to keep up with the pace of change.
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. — Struggling to keep up with the rate of change. — Overwhelmed with competitive threats, technology advancements, and shifting disruptive market forces. — Recognizing the need for reinvention but struggling to gain traction.
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? — Being Called to lead in a bold, new way — Overwhelmed with the demands of modern leadership — Craving a more innovative approach to drive explosive growth, gain competitive advantage, and get more from their teams
The 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. — Aware of the need to innovate but having a hard time getting started. — Responsible for creating a culture of innovation. — Feeling pressure to generate breakthroughs but struggling to deliver them.
Josh's unparalleled track record of founding and scaling technology companies to over $200 million in sales showcases his deep understanding of innovation and entrepreneurship. As a New York Times bestselling author and a mentor to over 100 startups, he brings a wealth of actionable insights and inspiring stories to ignite your team's creative potential and drive. Booking Josh means tapping into the mind of a proven innovator and entrepreneur who can transform the way you think about challenges and opportunities.
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frequently asked questions
Something we've not covered here?
Email josh.linkner@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Josh's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.
Josh Linkner draws on his experience founding and exiting five technology companies to frame creativity and leadership as learnable, structured disciplines rather than innate traits.
Josh Linkner speaks on breakthrough creativity, problem-solving under uncertainty, and leading through disruption and reinvention. He founded and served as CEO of five technology companies that collectively sold for over $200 million, and is a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and recipient of the United States Presidential Champion of Change Award.
No. PepTalk adds no booking fee, so you pay the speaker's fee and nothing beyond it. The service, from shortlist through to contracts and event-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, PepTalk can agree preferential rates with your procurement team.
Share your event date, audience, format, objectives and budget, and PepTalk sends a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours. Each suggestion comes with a profile, a fee and a recommendation on the strongest fit. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, travel and logistics through to event day.
The typical fee range is the speaker's standard in-person fee in their home market, shown in their local currency. It moves with format, location, date and session length: virtual sessions and shorter slots usually cost less, while international travel and peak dates cost more. Send your brief to PepTalk and the team will confirm the exact fee in your currency.
Not all of them, and it makes no difference to your booking. PepTalk's network of 15,000+ speakers covers talent the team works with directly alongside speakers represented by agents and agencies worldwide. PepTalk approaches the speaker, negotiates the fee and handles contracting either way.
To get the sharpest shortlist, share your event date, audience, format, key objectives, and budget. A rough idea is enough to start. The more context PepTalk has, the more precisely the team can match a speaker to your brief. Send it via getapeptalk.com.
There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.
Booking a speaker with PepTalk starts with a short brief: your event, audience, date, budget, and format. Send it through getapeptalk.com or hello@getapeptalk.com and you'll get a shortlist within 24 hours. Once you choose, PepTalk handles contracts, fees, travel, and logistics end to end.
Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.
Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.
Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.
You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.
Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.
Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.
A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.
Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.
When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.
When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.
Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.
Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.
Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.
Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.
Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.
Three to six months ahead is comfortable for most events, and 12 months is better for large conferences, peak-season dates or one specific in-demand speaker. Shorter timelines are workable, and PepTalk regularly fills last-minute and replacement bookings within days. Availability is the constraint, so get in touch as soon as you have a date.
Get the right person
Tell us what you’re working on and we’ll match you with the talent your audience won’t stop talking about.
