About | Futures Index

Impossible is Temporary

Futures Index is a global Research & Development initiative exploring tomorrow before it gets here. We focus on long term horizons and what hasn't happened (yet). We ask big questions about what takes ideas, norms, and behaviors from nascent to normal.

Unlike a typical "futurism" lab or think tank, we're not particularly interested in modeling existing data. Instead, we're interested in adaptations, evolutions, and distortions to what we think we know. Why? Because existing thinking replicates what's already happening and does not equip us for life's only inevitable feature--change. Our goal is to cultivate extra-ordinary concepts that require us to bend our brains.

What's the point?

The Index invests in paradigm - busting. We connect with and activate visionary thinking across a wide array of individuals and organizations. The term visionary is often used for over-blown marketing or to imply that some people are smarter than others. We take a different approach. To us, visionary thinking is a skill anyone can learn and apply. Our model activates and leverages visionary thinking skills into into paradigm - busting and experimental projects. Examples...

We're piloting various storytelling methods. One of them is a docu-series that's exploring the connection between human health and our surrounding environment. Another is a science fiction feature exploring consolidation of power and behavioral control. Media has just as big (if not bigger) influence on systems as compared to policy because media influences belief while policy is inert. We anticipate this trend growing and are experimenting with ways to connect to people.

We're trying out various forms of IP incubation. We love supporting Founders and inventors to explore how their creations might stimulate genuine change. In one experiment we tried out a total reframe of what a new medicine does and then changed how we communicate about it. This resulted in $15M funding. In another recent experiment we explored how a SaaS platform might help organizations combine environmental and social outcomes. Previously the two had been separate. Our changes are starting to result in exponential instead of additive progress.

We're experimenting with novel governance methods, particularly in organizational and institutional contexts. Governance is just another word for decision making, ethics, and balances in power. Typically, governance is hierarchical within Boards and C-suites and is structured to preserve status quo. This isn't inherently good or bad, but it definitely limits innovation. We recently concluded a year-long experiment with shared governance for the Board of a global public health startup. We are now applying what we learned to a new governance model for another global enterprise.

Want to partner or experiment with us? Get in touch!

Our origin story

The Index began as a series of consultative research projects beginning in 2020. Then, in early 2024, The Index decided to suspend its consultation - based model and slowly shift into a partnership model. Why? We found that delivering consulting projects was interesting, but didn't have much ongoing impact. The Index is now curating a broad portfolio of partnerships because it helps us have more impact, mobilize more resources, and not get bogged down in typical organizational bureucracy.

Who's doing all of this?

So far we've been invitation only but we think that needs to change. We're now experimenting with more open calls and broader coalitions. Get in touch if you'd like to explore working together!