Magnus Lindkvist

Futurologist, Author, and Master of Trendspotting with a Twist of Humour

Global thought leader on the future and trends, Magnus has delivered over a thousand keynotes worldwide, captivating audiences with his unique blend of insight, wit, and storytelling.
Author of acclaimed books including The Reset Book, Minifesto, and Creative Friction, exploring creativity, innovation, and humanity’s journey toward the future.
Founder and educator, he created the world’s first academically accredited course in trendspotting and future thinking at the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship.

Full Profile

Magnus Lindkvist: Trendspotter Extraordinaire

Magnus Lindkvist is a futurologist, author, and trendspotting phenomenon known for delivering thought-provoking keynote performances infused with subversive humour.

He has been described as brilliant, irresistibly funny, engaging, and utterly professional. With a remarkable sense of comic timing, he energises audiences as he explores the latest trends. He calls his approach “intellectual acupuncture” – and whatever label you give it, Magnus Lindkvist’s lectures are truly unforgettable.

For almost three decades, he has captivated audiences around the world with his research into the trends shaping the future.

The ideas driving humanity onwards

Communicating curiosity and complex intellectual challenges is no easy feat. Doing so with humour and insight is even harder – yet Magnus makes it look effortless.

This Swedish futurologist has delivered more than a thousand keynotes over the past three decades, enlightening everyone from CEOs of global corporations to civil servants in the Middle East. He has earned multiple awards, and his books and performances are widely acclaimed.

Ideas are central to Magnus’s talks — how they collide, evolve, and transform the way we work, create, and live. These are profound topics, but with his wry humour, Magnus masterfully lets opposites meet, creating an inspiring experience that shifts how audiences think and innovate.

Magnus works closely with each client, tailoring his presentations to suit every audience.

Qualitative insights, imaginative storytelling

Magnus Lindkvist has written several acclaimed books exploring the future, creativity, and trends. In his latest work, The Reset Book: How to Bounce Back from a Crisis (2023), he offers insights, tools, and comfort for individuals and organisations looking to recover and adapt. In Minifesto (2016), he celebrates the power of small ideas in a world obsessed with big narratives. In 2021, he and Swedish music journalist Jan Gradvall co-authored Creative Friction (in Swedish), using the history of popular culture to explore what unites creative minds.

Holding a Master of Science in Business and Economics from the Stockholm School of Economics and a degree in film production from UCLA, Magnus blends sharp analysis with cinematic storytelling. He doesn’t just teach about creative collisions – he embodies them.

Future possibilities, possible futures

Widely recognised as one of Sweden’s leading international speakers, Magnus Lindkvist has received numerous accolades for his work. In 2020, he and Jan Gradvall launched the podcast Gradvall+Magnus, where they discuss music, creativity, and the creative process. He has also founded and managed several companies dedicated to helping organisations navigate the future. Passionate about inspiring future-focused thinking, he has led training programmes that foster innovation and adaptability. In 2008, Magnus created the world’s first academically accredited course in trendspotting and future thinking at the Stockholm School of Entrepreneurship.

Talks

Training the future-mind

Strategy and Innovation in an age of uncertainty

Available for

Speaking Themes

Future of Technology

Languages

English

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Videos

Testimonials

The very discipline of crafting a few well-honed observations together with a liberal sprinkling of smart case studies into a compelling package of 150 pages or so of text provides all the raw material an author needs for a compelling conference presentation. Some have perfected the art to the point of rock star or stand-up comedian level. Take Magnus Lindkvist, Swedish futurologist and self-styled ‘trendspotter’ who is currently one of the hottest tickets on the corporate conference circuit. Lindkvist’s three books, including titles such Everything we know is wrong, take a contrary view of world of management. He’s hilariously irreverent, has delegates rolling with laughter and is thus a sure-fire graveyard shift winner for conference organizers.

Frank Dillon

Journalist, Decision Ireland’s Business Review

Magnus is one of the most dynamic and thought-provoking speakers in the world. He has a unique ability to quickly identify, connect and track trends and convey in a very compelling, insightful manner. He leaves the audience mesmerized and always wanting more

Stevens J. Sainte-Rose

Human Resources Group Director (Eurasia and Africa), The Coca-Cola Company

Magnus spoke at Ideas 2012, our annual flagship conference for institutional clients in EMEA. Magnus was extremely well-received and received the highest speaker score (6.4 out of 7). He is thought-provoking, and conveys his message with great energy, passion, impact and humour. I recommend him highly.

Richard Lockwood

Morgan Stanley

Magnus Lindkvists presentation at this years International Management Meeting in Chamonix received a nearly perfect score (97.8%) from participants

Allianz & Global Assistance

What a great presenter! Magnus Lindkvist not only knows his subject intimately but he clearly also does extensive research on his audience. The result is incredibly impactful, the audience entranced and fully involved. Id travel a long way to listen to Magnus impart his message!

Charles Clayton

Director, Institute of Risk Management

When Magnus presented the keynote address at our thought leadership speaker series, audience feedback was positively through the roof. Through a post-event survey, employees overwhelmingly agreed that Magnus helped to promote the gathering and sharing of new ideas at MBUSA. He illustrated a complex topic in a very compelling way and inspired us to think very differently.

Tracy Darchini

Mercedes-Benz USA

Testimonial for Everything We Know Is Wrong: I devoured your book in the first five hours after the event, and I thought it was just super. It is a very nicely done piece of writing, very thought provoking.

Don Peppers

Founder, Peppers Rogers Group

I wanted to thank you for delivering such an amazing keynote speech at our BU Meeting. It truly exceeded our expectations. We have received positive feedback from all our colleagues who attended the event. They were really captivated by your thought-provoking perspectives, ideas and of course the way the speech was delivered. Your contribution has undoubtedly made a significant impact on our team and has set a high bar for future events.

Magnus is brilliant. It was extremely well received and we have received lots of feedback to say how great the virtual session was. The discussion with the senior leaders was also extremely thought provoking and helped to set the focus of the discussions for the rest of the day’s agenda.

I wanted to take a moment to express how much of a delight it was to meet Mr. Magnus. His speech was incredibly well-received, insightful and captivating. The audience, including myself, genuinely appreciated his message and the eloquence he brought.

It was absolutely superb and such a wonderful way to open the conference. Gave all the attendees lots of food for thought. Overall super feedback for Magnus’s talk. It was enlightening, illuminating, entertaining and energising in equal measure.