What Is an Intrapreneur?

What Is an Intrapreneur?

Let me explain what an intrapreneur is: you're looking at an employee who's assigned to develop an innovative idea or project right inside a company. You won't face the huge risks or get the massive rewards that a full entrepreneur might, but you do get to tap into the resources and capabilities of an established organization.

Key Takeaways

As an intrapreneur, you work within a company to build an innovative idea or project that strengthens its future. The word 'intrapreneur' combines 'internal' and 'entrepreneur,' first used by Gifford Pinchot III and Elizabeth S. Pinchot in a 1978 white paper. You're typically granted autonomy for a project that could significantly affect the company. Over time, you might evolve into an entrepreneur and launch your own venture outside the organization. Intrapreneurs like you are often highly motivated, with specific skills, leadership qualities, and a vision that rallies others in the company.

Roles of Intrapreneurs

In your role as an intrapreneur, you're an employee assigned to a special idea or project, given the time and freedom to develop it like an entrepreneur would. You're not going it alone, though—you have the company's resources and capabilities at your disposal.

Remember, an entrepreneur starts a company to provide goods or services, while you as an intrapreneur aim to improve an existing one. Entrepreneurs build from scratch; you envision broader changes for an established firm, possibly shaking up traditions, processes, or products, bringing your direct skills and experience to the task.

History of Intrapreneurship

The term 'intrapreneur' merges 'internal' (or 'intra') with 'entrepreneur,' coined by Gifford Pinchot III and Elizabeth S. Pinchot in their 1978 white paper 'Intra-Corporate Entrepreneurship' for the Tarrytown School for Entrepreneurs. After that, it caught on in academic studies, and a 1985 Time magazine article 'Here Come the Intrapreneurs' made it even more widely known.

Benefits of Intrapreneurship

While an entrepreneur launches a company for goods or services, you as an intrapreneur investigate policies, technologies, or applications to boost an existing company's performance. As you hone skills in spotting and solving key problems, you might transition to full entrepreneurship.

Expect freedom and autonomy for your project—without constant daily demands. Your job is to analyze trends for the company's future planning, synthesize findings, and propose ways to outpace competitors. Sometimes, you handle this alongside your regular duties.

Over time, intrapreneurs like you often rise to executive roles, advancing the business with a comprehensive understanding from all levels. When you solve problems, you encourage other talented intrapreneurs and incorporate new ideas for the company's overall benefit.

Characteristics of an Intrapreneur

According to Pinchot's original white paper, intrapreneurs follow principles like risking personal value such as time or finances, sharing rewards equitably between the company and themselves, building something like capital, earning independence from the corporation, and acting as their own venture capitalist within it.

You as an intrapreneur are typically highly motivated, with targeted skills, leadership abilities, and an innovative vision that others support. Even with a day job, you're ready to take risks, interpret market trends, and map out the company's next innovative steps to stay competitive.

Example of an Intrapreneur

Take Healey Cypher, who in under a year as eBay’s chief of staff of global product management, spotted a missed opportunity. eBay focused on e-commerce, but most purchases happened locally within 15 miles of home, and retailers wanted physical presences.

After talking to the CEO, Cypher gathered engineers to build tools for eBay in physical stores, starting with an interactive storefront for Toys'R'Us, then expanding to TOMS, Sony, and Rebecca Minkoff over two years. This success created a new eBay division, granting workers autonomy to solve problems and advance the company. Cypher became eBay's Head of Retail Innovation.

What Is the Difference Between an Entrepreneur and an Intrapreneur?

An entrepreneur builds a company from nothing, while you as an intrapreneur innovate within an established one.

Who Is Called an Intrapreneur?

Intrapreneurs are company employees assigned to special ideas or projects, given entrepreneurial time and freedom to develop them.

What Is the Role of an Intrapreneur?

Your role involves exploring policies, technologies, or applications to enhance an existing company's performance.

What Is the Intrapreneurial Mindset?

You have a broad vision for an established company, possibly involving major shifts in traditions, processes, or products, backed by your relevant skills and experience.

How Do You Become an Intrapreneur?

High-performing employees like you get assigned to innovate, improve products, or stay competitive, but you can also initiate ideas on your own time and present them to leadership.

The Bottom Line

Intrapreneurs are frequently overlooked in entrepreneurship discussions, but innovating within established corporations can change the world. You get the best of both: autonomy for projects plus the backing of a resourced company focused on progress.