intrapreneur

[ in-truh-pruh-nur, -noo r, -nyoo r ]
/ ˌɪn trə prəˈnɜr, -ˈnʊər, -ˈnyʊər /

noun

an employee of a large corporation who is given freedom and financial support to create new products, services, systems, etc., and does not have to follow the corporation's usual routines or protocols.

Origin of intrapreneur

First recorded in 1975–80; intra- + (entre)preneur

OTHER WORDS FROM intrapreneur

in·tra·pre·neur·ship, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH intrapreneur

entrepreneur intrapreneur

VOCAB BUILDER

What does intrapreneur mean?

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.

Where does intrapreneur come from?

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.

Did you know ... ?

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

 

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

 

What are some words intrapreneur may be commonly confused with?

How is intrapreneur used in real life?

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

 

 

Try using intrapreneur!

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.

British Dictionary definitions for intrapreneur

intrapreneur
/ (ˌɪntrəprəˈnɜː) /

noun

a person who while remaining within a larger organization uses entrepreneurial skills to develop a new product or line of business as a subsidiary of the organization

Word Origin for intrapreneur

C20: from intra- + ( entre) preneur