Intrapreneurship vs. entrepreneurship
Table of Contents
By: Amanda Phagan, Edited by: Joey Morris
Published: March 18, 2025
You have likely heard of entrepreneurship, but what about intrapreneurship? These two business skills can help you demonstrate leadership, develop innovative ideas, and advance your career in different ways.
Invest in your future by learning how to incorporate intrapreneurship, entrepreneurship, or both into your career path.
Defining intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship
What is intrapreneurship?
Intrapreneurship is the practice of applying an entrepreneurial mindset to an internal role at an established company. This may include brainstorming new products, proposing new processes, trying new strategies, and leading innovative projects that benefit the company at which the employee works.
What is entrepreneurship?
Entrepreneurship is the practice of creating a new business that addresses a market opportunity or demand. Entrepreneurs are passionate, independent individuals who adopt the high-risk and high-reward potential of starting a new business from scratch.
Key differences between intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship
Intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs share an innovative spirit, a proactive approach to work, and leadership potential. While born from a shared desire to leave their mark, they differ in several ways.
Entrepreneur and intrapreneur examples
Intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs are all around us! If you work at a corporation, your coworker may have pitched and implemented a process that everyone now uses. Your neighbor may run a pet-sitting business, and your friend might make money creating content for a specific social media niche.
Here are some intrapreneurs and entrepreneurs you may know:
- Entrepreneur Reshma Saujani created Girls Who Code to provide girls with the skills they need to occupy the computer science space.
- While working at W.L Gore, Dave Myers and John Spencer used their intrapreneurial skills to create and test ELIXIR Guitar Strings, which are now top-selling acoustic guitar strings.
- Henry Ford brought his Model T automobile and mass production strategy to the forefront of American life as an entrepreneur.
- James Gosling and his intrapreneurial team at Sun Microsystems created Java, a programming language meant to be more universal and adaptable than C/C++.
- Anne Wojcicki made genetic testing more accessible, interactive, and affordable with her entrepreneurial venture, 23andMe.
How to develop intrapreneurship and entrepreneurship skills
Whether you aspire to innovate while working nine-to-five at an established company or dream up a business idea centered around your passion, you can develop the skills you need to succeed. Here are some ways you can start developing intrapreneurial or entrepreneurial skills.
Education opportunities
Enroll in a course
Want to expand your business knowledge without earning another degree? Consider taking a course in entrepreneurship, innovation, or business skills. An introductory course can help you learn or build upon key skills that entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs use daily to advance their careers. Courses generally require around four to eight weeks of part-time study that you can incorporate into your busy schedule.
Earn your bachelor's or master's degree
If you're exploring future career paths or want to switch careers, earning a bachelor's degree in business, business administration, or entrepreneurship can equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to get started in business — whether you want to join a thriving company or create your own.
If you already have a bachelor's degree and want to maximize your business potential, consider earning a master's in business administration (MBA). Earning an MBA can help you increase your earning potential, qualify for higher-level leadership roles, and develop a niche.
Useful practices
Incorporating intrapreneurial and entrepreneurial skills into your routine without earning a certificate or degree is also possible. Make it a habit to:
- Maintain your network: Staying connected with professionals in your network is a great way to increase your online visibility as an entrepreneur or intrapreneur.
- Mentor others: Stepping up to lead by example in your community or workplace shows leadership.
- Take on a passion project: Working on something you care about can help you stand out — or even discover a new business idea.
- Join a group or club: Being part of a dynamic group can inspire you to brainstorm and propose new ideas.
- Share your ideas: Take the initiative to share your ideas in meetings. They may just become your company's next big project.