Entrepreneur vs. Intrapreneur: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Entrepreneurs start and lead their own businesses, while intrapreneurs innovate and drive change within existing companies.
Key Differences
Entrepreneurs are individuals who create and manage their own businesses, taking on financial risks in the hope of profit. Intrapreneurs, on the other hand, are employees within a company who are tasked with developing innovative ideas or projects, leveraging the company's resources and support.
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Nov 22, 2023
While entrepreneurs build enterprises from scratch, often driven by their vision and passion, intrapreneurs work within the safety net of an existing organization, pushing for transformative ideas or products. The risk for entrepreneurs is higher, but they have full control, whereas intrapreneurs enjoy more stability but less autonomy.
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Nov 22, 2023
Entrepreneurship often requires external funding, market analysis, and a business model developed from the ground up. Intrapreneurship, conversely, involves utilizing the existing company's resources, network, and capital to foster innovation from within.
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Nov 22, 2023
An entrepreneur typically bears the brunt of the venture's success or failure, making all the strategic decisions. An intrapreneur is part of a larger organization and often works collaboratively with teams, sharing both the credit and responsibility for the project's outcome.
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Nov 22, 2023
The goal of an entrepreneur is often to disrupt markets with a new product or service, aiming for growth and expansion. An intrapreneur’s goal, meanwhile, is to drive innovation within the boundaries of an existing company, contributing to its evolution and competitiveness.
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Nov 22, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Goal
Market disruption, business growth
Innovation, company evolution
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Entrepreneur and Intrapreneur Definitions
Entrepreneur
An individual who assumes the risk of a business venture.
As an entrepreneur, she invested her savings into creating an eco-friendly clothing line.
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Nov 17, 2023
Intrapreneur
A team member in an organization driving internal innovation.
The intrapreneur’s initiative led to the development of a successful new marketing strategy.
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Nov 17, 2023
Entrepreneur
An innovator in business, initiating new opportunities.
The entrepreneur developed a groundbreaking app that simplified online learning.
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Nov 17, 2023
Intrapreneur
An employee within a company who promotes innovative product development.
As an intrapreneur, he developed a new project management tool that increased company efficiency.
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Nov 17, 2023
Entrepreneur
A business leader creating and managing ventures for profit.
The entrepreneur's success came from a chain of organic food cafes.
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Nov 17, 2023
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Intrapreneur
A corporate employee tasked with implementing innovative ideas.
The intrapreneur revamped the company’s product line, significantly boosting sales.
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Nov 17, 2023
Entrepreneur
A person who starts and runs their own business.
The entrepreneur launched a tech startup that revolutionized online payments.
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Nov 17, 2023
Intrapreneur
Someone within a company who takes on risk to create new services or products.
She acted as an intrapreneur by leading the development of a cutting-edge cybersecurity solution.
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Nov 17, 2023
Entrepreneur
Someone who identifies market needs and develops solutions.
The young entrepreneur founded a company providing affordable renewable energy solutions.
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Nov 17, 2023
Intrapreneur
An organizational team member developing new business strategies.
As an intrapreneur, he was instrumental in diversifying the company's product offerings.
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Nov 17, 2023
Entrepreneur
A person who organizes, operates, and assumes the risk for a business venture.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intrapreneur
A person within a large corporation who takes direct responsibility for turning an idea into a profitable finished product through assertive risk taking and innovation.
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Oct 19, 2023
Entrepreneur
A person who organizes and operates a business venture and assumes much of the associated risk.
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Oct 19, 2023
Intrapreneur
A person employed to work independently within a company in order to introduce innovation and to revitalize and diversify its business.
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Oct 19, 2023
Entrepreneur
A person who organizes a risky activity of any kind and acts substantially in the manner of a business entrepreneur.
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Oct 19, 2023
Entrepreneur
A person who strives for success and takes on risk by starting their own venture, service, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Entrepreneur
One who takes the initiative to create a product or establish a business for profit; generally, whoever undertakes on his own account an enterprise in which others are employed and risks are taken.
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Oct 19, 2023
Entrepreneur
Someone who organizes a business venture and assumes the risk for it
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
How do entrepreneurs source funding?
Entrepreneurs typically rely on personal savings, loans, or investor funding.
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Nov 22, 2023
What is an intrapreneur?
An employee within a company who drives innovation and new project development.
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Nov 22, 2023
Do entrepreneurs have complete control over their ventures?
Yes, entrepreneurs make key decisions and have full control over their business operations.
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Nov 22, 2023
What defines an entrepreneur?
An individual who establishes and manages a business, taking on financial risks for potential profit.
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Nov 22, 2023
Do intrapreneurs collaborate with teams?
Intrapreneurs often work in teams, collaborating with other employees for innovation.
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Nov 22, 2023
What resources do intrapreneurs use?
Intrapreneurs utilize the resources, network, and support of their existing company.
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Nov 22, 2023
What kind of risks do intrapreneurs face?
Intrapreneurs face lower personal risks as they operate within a company's framework.
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Nov 22, 2023
What inspires intrapreneurs?
Intrapreneurs are motivated by the desire to innovate and contribute to their company's growth.
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Nov 22, 2023
Can entrepreneurs work independently?
Yes, entrepreneurs work independently, building their ventures from the ground up.
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Nov 22, 2023
What motivates entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurs are driven by the desire to create, innovate, and achieve financial success.
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Nov 22, 2023
Are intrapreneurs company employees?
Yes, intrapreneurs are employees who focus on innovation within their company.
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Nov 22, 2023
Can an entrepreneur work within a corporation?
Typically, entrepreneurs work outside corporate structures, running their own businesses.
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Nov 22, 2023
Can entrepreneurs change industries?
Entrepreneurs have the flexibility to venture into different industries based on market opportunities.
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Nov 22, 2023
Do intrapreneurs need specific skills?
Intrapreneurs require innovation, leadership, and collaborative skills to succeed within a corporation.
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Nov 22, 2023
Is failure a common aspect of entrepreneurship?
Yes, failure is a common risk in entrepreneurship due to the high level of uncertainty.
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Nov 22, 2023
What does success look like for an intrapreneur?
Success for an intrapreneur is measured by the impact of their innovations on the company's growth and evolution.
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Nov 22, 2023
What is the ultimate goal of an entrepreneur?
The ultimate goal of an entrepreneur is to build a successful, profitable business.
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Nov 22, 2023
How do entrepreneurs impact the economy?
Entrepreneurs stimulate economic growth by creating jobs and introducing new products.
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Nov 22, 2023
What role do intrapreneurs play in a company?
Intrapreneurs play a key role in driving internal innovation and keeping the company competitive.
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Nov 22, 2023
How secure is the role of an intrapreneur?
Intrapreneurs have more job security compared to entrepreneurs, as they work within established companies.
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Nov 22, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.