Prof. dr. Paul Iske is professor at the School of Business and

Economics, Maastricht University, Netherlands, focusing on Open

Innovation and Business Venturing. His main objective is servant - and

social innovation, with combinatoric innovation (innovation by

combination) as his specialty. Paul has a PhD in Theoretical Physics,

which explains his interest in complex systems.

Paul founded the ‘Institute of Brilliant Failures’ where he highlights the

importance of experimentation and entrepreneurship to achieve

paradigm shifts and breakthrough innovation

(www.brilliantfailures.com). He is co-founder of the International

Institute for Serious Optimism (www.iiso.eu), which aims

to support organizations to become an ‘O-zone’, with a high level of

'O'ptimism.

Until mid 2015, Paul was Chief Dialogues Officer at ABN AMRO where

he established connections for innovative and sustainable value

creation. Furthermore, he is a boardroom consultant on issues related

to innovation, intellectual capital, creativity and entrepreneurship.

Through his company KnocoM (knowledge-conscious management) he

is a frequent speaker on international conferences and workshops.