Founder and CEO, Not Impossible Labs
New & Noteworthy Fortune names Mick Ebeling one of the World's 50 Greatest Leaders
Mick Ebeling: Biography at a Glance
- Mick Ebeling was named one of Fortune Magazine's World's Greatest Leaders
- Founder and CEO of Not Impossible, the multiple award-winning social innovation lab and production company based on the premise that nothing is impossible
- This unconventional approach brought to life highly acclaimed initiatives - bringing the ability to draw back to a paraplegic street artist, 3D-printed arms to Sudanese amputees and "voice" to an ALS patient who hadn’t spoken in 15 years
- Not Impossible launched Bento, a startup with the goal of tackling hunger and food insecurity in America. Bento was selected by Fortune to be on the Fortune 2021 Impact 20 List, recognizing venture-backed backed startups that focus on tackling key social and environmental issues as part of their business models.
- Ebeling was named one of Wired’s “Agents of Change,” recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award, a two-time SXSW innovation of the year award winner, and recipient of every major creative and advertising award
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Biography
Recently named by Fortune Magazine as one of the Top 50 World’s Greatest Leaders, a recipient of the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award, and listed as one of the world’s most influential creative people by The Creativity 50’s, Mick Ebeling has sparked a movement of pragmatic, inspirational innovation. As a career producer and filmmaker and now founder and CEO of Not Impossible, Ebeling harvests the power of technology and story to change the world.
Ebeling founded Not Impossible, a multiple award-winning social innovation lab and production company, on the premise that nothing is impossible. His mantra of “commit, then figure it out” allows him to convene a disparate team of hackers, doers, makers and thinkers to create devices that better the world by bringing accessibility for all. This unconventional approach brought to life highly acclaimed initiatives -- the EyeWriter, Project Daniel, Don’s Voice and most recently Music: Not Impossible -- that brought the ability to draw back to a paraplegic street artist, 3D-printed arms to Sudanese amputees, a ‘voice’ to an ALS patient who hadn’t spoken in 15 years, and wearables that let deaf and hearing people alike feel music in a “surround body” experience.
In 2020, Not Impossible launched Bento, a startup with the goal of tackling hunger and food insecurity in America. Aimed at bringing greater efficiency and dignity to the process, it utilizes text messaging rather than long food bank lines. Individuals in need, who get access to the service through community organizations, type “order” into their phone and, through an automated conversation, choose from a curated list of healthy options offered by participating restaurants and grocery stores, which they then go pick up. Bento was selected by Fortune to be on the Fortune 2021 Impact 20 List, recognizing venture-backed backed startups that focus on tackling key social and environmental issues as part of their business models.
Working with a wide array of Fortune 500 companies, Ebeling not only pushes the bar on innovation, he also shares the emotionally resonating story of doing so. These narratives of overcoming seemingly impossible odds to “Help One. Help Many” have inspired people across the world to do the same.
Ebeling’s book, Not Impossible: The Art and Joy of Doing What Couldn't Be Done, recounts the life experiences that led to the founding of Not Impossible. Published in a multitude of languages, the book was hailed as “a unique and inspiring tale of brave abandon” by Nicholas Negroponte.
Named one of Wired’s ‘Agents of Change’, a two-time SXSW innovation of the year award winner, a two-time Tribeca Disruptor innovation winner, a fellow with The Nantucket Project, and recipient of every major creative and advertising award, Ebeling is on a mission to provide “Technology for the Sake of Humanity.” By tapping into a community of passionate and talented engineers, makers, idea generators, and storytellers, Ebeling is making the inconceivable, the unbelievable and the impossible, Not Impossible.
Topics
Innovation in a Tumultuous World
Collaborating with unlikely characters to tackle seemingly impossible challenges and finding innovative ways to overcome them, is what Mick and Not Impossible Labs have done for the last 10 years. OK… now introduce a global pandemic. What the heck do we do now? How do we maintain an innovation culture in our very disrupted and strange new world? How do we embrace experimentation as a pathway to breakthroughs? In this conversation, Mick will briefly explain the origin of Not Impossible, the NI design process, and dive deeper into Not Impossible's newest world changing solutions.
Creativity for Breakfast: Breeding a Creative Culture
Peter Drucker’s famous quote “Culture eats strategy for breakfast” has never been more true - and needed - than today. Finding innovative ways to be nimble and creative in the midst of one of the most turbulent periods in modern history, (social unrest, political strife, a pandemic) will not only inform which companies will survive, but those that will thrive. The creative revolution has been democratized. The leaders' role to mine and nurture creativity within their organizations have never been more critical than today. In this talk, Mick will teach business leaders the way of the “hacker-maker” and the gift of positive failure. Mick will empower leaders' resourcefulness and remind them that the business landscape has never been more primed for breakthrough innovations… and quite possibly with the help of some zip ties and duct tape.
Radical Collaboration
Using Not Impossible’s proven approach of collaboration as a guide, Ebeling discusses the tools necessary to become a stellar collaborator and to recognize the traits of collaboration-worthy individuals for your next big idea.
The Fallacy of "Impossible"
All the modern conveniences we observe and utilize around us were once considered impossible. Ebeling dives deeper into “impossible,” the underlying psychological effects it has on an organization and how to overcome “impossible” so true innovation can take place.
Darth Meets Luke: Reimagining AI
Speculation about the future of AI vacillates between sunny Jedi optimism and dire warnings of Sith doom. But there is a third side, says Mick Ebeling as he explores three levels of technological enhancement to human life, emphasizing networks for the greater good. His presentation has immediate implications and applications for any discipline where technology can extend human capability.
Making the Next Industrial Revolution
From social media to the Maker Movement, the Industrial Revolution 2.0 has shifted the way we live, work and interact with one another. It revolves around the newfound global accessibility of making our own solutions. Mick Ebeling discusses the factors that make this the most exciting time in modern history, and how to leverage those factors for the benefit of business and the betterment of society.
Creating a Culture of Impact and Purpose
Imagine what companies could accomplish and be if their entire workforce was activated by a sense of purpose. This isn’t just about employee satisfaction, recruiting or retention; this is about tapping into the Movement of Purpose so that both companies AND society win. In this talk, Mick will delve into the creation of a Culture of Purpose and Impact and the direct effects this has on profitability, productivity, innovation and engagement.
