Innovation can’t be outsourced forever. A growing body of research shows that companies investing in internal innovation capabilities, like intrapreneurship, outperform those relying solely on acquisitions or external ventures. Deloitte found that nearly 9 out of 10 executives now see workforce potential as a critical driver of innovation success (Deloitte Human Capital Trends 2023).
Intrapreneurship is one of the most promising ways to activate this potential. Intrapreneurship programs help employees explore new ideas, develop business-relevant skills, and contribute to future growth in ways that benefit both the individual and the organization.
But here’s the catch: most intrapreneurship programs struggle to scale, fail to generate real outcomes, or quietly fizzle out after one or two cycles.
So what separates a flashy initiative from a sustainable, business-relevant intrapreneurship program?
At Bluemorrow, we’ve helped build intrapreneurship programs for global leaders across industries. Below, we share six design principles to help you build scalable intrapreneurship that delivers strategic value without becoming an innovation theater.
1. Anchor intrapreneurship in strategy, not just engagement
Why strategic alignment matters
Many intrapreneurship programs start with good intentions: boost engagement, foster culture, unleash creativity. But without a clear link to strategic priorities, intrapreneurship rarely gains traction.
Focus on long-term growth
The most successful intrapreneurship programs are tied to Horizon 2 and 3 opportunity spaces, including adjacent markets, emerging technologies, or unmet customer needs. Strategic alignment ensures sponsors take outcomes seriously and see intrapreneurship as more than a cultural exercise.
Tip: Start with a clear innovation thesis. Where should your company grow next? Shape intrapreneurship themes around those areas.
2. Structure creates confidence
Why intrapreneurship needs structure
Intrapreneurs aren't just looking for freedom. They need guidance, especially if they're not experienced in innovation work.
How to create the right rhythm
The best intrapreneurship programs use weekly milestones, check-ins, templates, and practical tools. Frameworks like Design Thinking, Lean Startup, or the Double Diamond give intrapreneurs direction without stifling creativity.
Tip: Think of structure as scaffolding, not a cage. Provide clarity, but leave room for iteration and exploration.
3. Empower real intrapreneurs, not just ideas scouts
The problem with "innovation on the side"
One of the biggest challenges in intrapreneurship? People don’t have time. If participants are expected to “innovate on the side,” progress stalls.
Who should join the program
Strong intrapreneurship programs allocate at least 20 percent of participants’ workweek and ensure visible sponsor support. They also recruit the right mix: fresh thinkers, strategic doers and high-potential talent with credibility inside the business.
Tip: Make participation meaningful. Offer recognition, learning, and a clear path to next steps for promising intrapreneurship ideas.
4. Go beyond ideation, validate in the real world
Sticky notes don't equal business cases
A pile of sticky notes is not a business case. To build internal credibility, intrapreneurship must push teams beyond brainstorming into real-world validation.
The three lenses of validation
Effective intrapreneurship relies on structured experimentation. Teams should:
- Test desirability with users
- Map feasibility with technology
- Explore viability of the business model
Some intrapreneurship teams may even secure pilot customers, letters of intent, or early internal sponsorship. These are strong proof points that show an idea is worth pursuing.
Build a "service market" for support
Most intrapreneurs can’t validate alone. That’s why leading intrapreneurship programs offer access to a service market: on-demand support for user research, prototyping, design, and commercial validation.
Tip: Provide structured experimentation support.
5. Involve sponsors early and often
Why sponsors matter
Executive sponsors shouldn’t just show up on demo day. In the best intrapreneurship programs, they’re active allies who sharpen ideas, remove roadblocks, and ensure strategic fit.
Create visibility and momentum
Intrapreneurship thrives on rituals and storytelling. Internal newsletters, digital portals, and roadshows show progress, build momentum, and inspire new participants to join the next cohort.
Tip: Use milestones and storytelling to create internal gravity. Intrapreneurship needs visibility to scale.
6. Design intrapreneurship for repeatability from day one
Codify what works
If you want to run more than one cohort, build intrapreneurship with scale in mind. That means codifying playbooks, templates, learning videos, and even AI-powered tools that help participants progress faster.
Measure impact, not just ideas
Scalable intrapreneurship also means tracking impact: concepts that reach validation, employees who apply learnings elsewhere, and how intrapreneurship shapes your broader innovation culture.
Tip: Treat the intrapreneurship program itself as a product. Measure, iterate, and refine it with every round.
Final thought: Intrapreneurship is a long game
Running a successful intrapreneurship program isn’t about launching the next unicorn. It’s about building the muscles your organization needs to explore, experiment, and act on the future.
When done right, intrapreneurship becomes more than a program. It becomes part of your company’s growth engine and innovation culture.
Common questions about intrapreneurship
As companies explore intrapreneurship, a few recurring questions tend to come up. Here are answers to the ones we hear most often:
What is intrapreneurship and why is it important?
Intrapreneurship is when employees act like entrepreneurs inside an organization. It’s important because it unlocks workforce creativity, builds innovation capabilities, and drives long-term growth.
How do you start an intrapreneurship program?
Begin by aligning with strategy, defining growth themes, and designing a clear structure. Secure sponsor support early and give participants real time to innovate.
What makes intrapreneurship scalable?
Scalability comes from codifying what works, providing validation tools, tracking impact, and treating intrapreneurship itself as a product that evolves over time.
Ready to explore intrapreneurship in your company?
At Bluemorrow, we work side by side with leaders to design intrapreneurship initiatives that are both human and strategic.
If you’d like to discuss how this could look in your organization, you can book a conversation with Linda, our expert on intrapreneurship and innovation culture.
