intrapreneur
Employee creating ventures
An intrapreneur is someone who acts like an entrepreneur while working within an existing organization—developing new products, services, or initiatives using company resources rather than starting their own venture.
The term captures how corporate employees can drive innovation from the inside: She was the intrapreneur behind the company's most successful product line.
Hired organizational member
- in-houseWithin the organization
- internalSituated within
- companyCommercial enterprise or guests
- enterpriseCommercial undertaking or initiative
organization · business unit · cross-functional · stakeholder · sponsor · corporate culture · bureaucracy · red tape
Acting before problems arise
- self-starterOne with initiative
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- ambitiousStrongly desiring achievement
- resourcefulnessAbility to solve problems creatively
autonomy · ownership · motivated · determination · goal-oriented · hustle · empowerment · self-directed
Capacity for original thought
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- ideationForming mental concepts
- ingenuityClever, original thinking
invention · prototype · design thinking · pioneering · cutting-edge · brainstorming · experimentation · iteration
Thorough change in form
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- modernizationAdoption of current methods
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- catalystAgent enabling change
renewal · restructure · reinvention · pivot · turnaround · organizational change · process improvement · digital transformation
Hazard taken deliberately
- experimentationSystematic testing of ideas
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- boldCourageous and daring
- venturesomeInclined toward risky endeavors
betting · risk appetite · courage · conviction · resilience · persistence · pivoting
employee
Hired organizational member
enterprise · organization · business unit · cross-functional · stakeholder · sponsor · corporate culture · bureaucracy · red tape · resources
proactive
Acting before problems arise
- self-starterOne with initiative
- drivenIntensely determined to achieve
- ambitiousStrongly desiring achievement
resourcefulness · autonomy · ownership · motivated · determination · goal-oriented · hustle · empowerment · self-directed · bootlegging
creativity
Capacity for original thought
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- ideationForming mental concepts
ingenuity · invention · prototype · design thinking · pioneering · cutting-edge · brainstorming · experimentation · iteration · proof-of-concept
transformation
Thorough change in form
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- modernizationAdoption of current methods
- disruptionForceful interruption of process
catalyst · renewal · restructure · reinvention · pivot · turnaround · organizational change · process improvement · digital transformation · strategic shift
calculated risk
Hazard taken deliberately
- experimentationSystematic testing of ideas
- uncertaintyState of being unsure
- boldCourageous and daring
venturesome · betting · risk appetite · courage · conviction · resilience · persistence · pivoting
intrapreneurentrepreneur
One who starts businesses
startup founder · freelancer · solopreneur · self-employed · independent contractor
intrapreneurbureaucrat
Government administrative official
company man · conformist · yes-man · paper-pusher · functionary