2026 BizBash 40 Under 40: Jordan Kinne

Jordan Kinne, 35, is co-founder and CEO of Inkling, a nationally recognized experiential marketing agency.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 7:28pm

A photorealistic studio still life featuring a sleek, modern desk setup with a laptop, pen, and small potted plant, conceptually representing the abstract ideas of entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic thinking.The minimalist, high-end studio setup reflects the thoughtful, craft-driven approach that has helped Inkling grow into a nationally recognized experiential marketing agency under Jordan Kinne's leadership.Rochester Today

Jordan Kinne, 35, is the co-founder and CEO of Inkling, an experiential marketing agency based in Rochester, New York. Under his leadership, Inkling has grown into a nationally recognized company known for its integrity, creativity, and care in delivering innovative experiences for clients.

Why it matters

Kinne's journey from working in recording studios and on film crews to co-founding a successful experiential marketing agency highlights the evolving nature of the industry and the value of hands-on experience and a commitment to thoughtful production.

The details

Kinne started his career in high school setting up AV for wedding bands, studied sound recording technology in college, and moved to New York City after graduating. He gained experience working in various roles, from recording studios and post-production houses to being on film crews and leading large-scale live events. In 2016, a project involving interactive content built on live Google Trends data introduced Kinne to the power of experiential storytelling, which inspired him to co-found Inkling in 2019.

  • Kinne co-founded Inkling in 2019 with a partner.
  • In 2025, Inkling experienced its most defining year yet in terms of growth and clarity of purpose under Kinne's leadership.
  • Inkling is now a nationally recognized company with offices in multiple cities and award-winning work.

The players

Jordan Kinne

The 35-year-old co-founder and CEO of Inkling, an experiential marketing agency based in Rochester, New York.

Inkling

A nationally recognized experiential marketing agency co-founded by Jordan Kinne in 2019, known for its integrity, creativity, and care in delivering innovative experiences for clients.

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What’s next

Kinne and his co-founder Ed are focused on continuing to grow Inkling with intention, including expanding into a new major office location in Rochester, New York, growing the team thoughtfully, and deepening long-term partnerships with clients. They are also leading the development of iicon, the Interactive Innovation Conference, a new leadership summit exploring how interactive technologies are reshaping business, culture, and society.

The takeaway

Kinne's journey from hands-on experience in various media and production roles to co-founding a successful experiential marketing agency highlights the value of diverse industry knowledge and a commitment to thoughtful, innovative work. Inkling's growth under Kinne's leadership demonstrates the demand for agencies that prioritize integrity, creativity, and care in delivering impactful experiences for clients.