intrapreneur

An intrapreneur is an employee of a company who works to create new business opportunities or products for the company in the style of an entrepreneur (which is someone who starts their own business from scratch).

Intrapreneur is based on entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs start their own ventures and work for themselves, often by developing a new product or service. Intrapreneurs are encouraged by their employer to work in much the same way as an entrepreneur would, just within and as part of the company.

Example: As an intrapreneur, I get to use some of the same skills as an entrepreneur but without all the risk.

Intrapreneur might sound like a recent buzzword, but the first records of its use come from the 1970s. It is based on entrepreneur, which is much older and is borrowed directly from the French word entrepreneur, which has the same meaning. This word (which also had the more general meaning of “one who undertakes a task”) is based on the French word entreprendre, “to undertake.” In intrapreneur, the first part of the word is replaced with the prefix intra–, meaning “within.” So, an intrapreneur is an entrepreneur within a company.

Intrapreneurs are typically tasked with pursuing innovation in the form of new ideas and products—exactly as entrepreneurs would do for their own companies. Intrapreneurs typically work for large corporations that have the resources to give them the freedom and funding to try to create these innovations. Along with being provided with financial and other resources, they are often allowed and encouraged to work outside the usual corporate structure. Still, their efforts ultimately benefit their employer.

So why would someone be an intrapreneur instead of an entrepreneur, when it’s essentially the same job? Because being an entrepreneur takes capital—meaning “startup money.” For entrepreneurs, this often means spending their own money, which is a big risk if their business doesn’t take off.

What are some other forms of intrapreneur?

• intrapreneurs (plural)
• intrapreneurship (noun)
• intrapreneurial (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with intrapreneur? 

• entrepreneur
• intrapersonal
• intrastate
• intramural

What are some words that often get used in discussing intrapreneur?

• innovation
• enterprise
• corporation
• product
• business
• risk

What are some words intrapreneur may be commonly confused with?

• entrepreneur

Intrapreneur is typically used in discussions of modern business practices, especially in relation to big companies and corporations that want to promote innovation.

🙌🏽 Amazing session with my fave coach!!! As highly motivated and passionate as I am, even I too need some objective guidance to get back on track. It's not been an easy journey making the leap from entrepreneur back into full time employment. But hey, I'm an intrapreneur now 💪🏼

— Haseeba Saban (Content Queen) (@lolasaban) February 13, 2020

"An intrapreneur is an employee who brings all the passion and creativity of an entrepreneur to their everyday work." Great article on why Employers look for entrepreneurial qualities when they are recruiting @CIT_ie @CIT_Careers https://t.co/1lIbzfYmAh

— CIT Innovate (@CITInnovate) February 18, 2020

Today we start Class 7 of @CableCenterIA so let's define what an #Intrapreneur is and how to be a #successful one. Example Pro Top: Pitch why your idea is good for the customer & the company, not just for you and your career #innovation #intrapreneurshiphttps://t.co/zDNkFpLXaO pic.twitter.com/wCglvD8S3r

— Robyn Bolton (@RM_Bolton) February 18, 2020

How are intrapreneurs different from entrepreneurs?

A. Intrapreneurs create new things.
B. Intrapreneurs have a lot of freedom.
C. Intrapreneurs are focused on innovation.
D. Intrapreneurs work for a larger company.