Utah’s entrepreneurial spirit is no secret, but not every ambitious thinker needs to quit their day job and risk everything to start a business. Enter “intrapreneurship” — a concept that’s redefining how employees can take initiative, innovate and create impact while remaining within the framework of an established organization.
Intrapreneurs are the risk-takers within companies, leveraging their employer’s resources and support to innovate, develop new products or solve challenges creatively. Unlike entrepreneurs, who step out on their own, intrapreneurs stay within the corporate structure, benefiting both themselves and their employers. This dynamic has been a game-changer in industries worldwide and holds enormous potential for Utah’s business community.
Utah-based success stories
One standout example of intrapreneurship in Utah comes from Domo, a cloud-based business intelligence company. Instead of sticking to traditional approaches, employees within the company took the initiative to develop innovative ways of integrating real-time data visualization tools that would set Domo apart. These intrapreneurs worked within the company’s framework to design creative solutions, which ultimately led to Domo’s breakthrough as a leader in the industry.
Intrapreneurship is not just a trend — it’s a powerful tool for growth, innovation and resilience. By embracing it, Utah companies can stay competitive in a rapidly changing world.
— Heather Griffith Barber
Another example can be found in outdoor recreation, a cornerstone of Utah’s economy. Black Diamond Equipment has cultivated an intrapreneurial culture that encourages employees to design and test cutting-edge outdoor gear. These efforts have resulted in some of the most innovative products in the climbing and skiing industries.
The five steps to intrapreneurship
If you’re an employee in Utah looking to make an impact without taking on the full risks of entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship might be your path forward. Here’s how to embrace the mindset and thrive as an intrapreneur:
1. Take initiative. Intrapreneurs are proactive. Identify pain points, inefficiencies or untapped opportunities within your company and propose creative solutions. Don’t wait for permission — lead with ideas and show your willingness to solve problems.
2. Think like an owner. Adopt an entrepreneurial mindset by considering how your ideas will drive growth, reduce costs or enhance customer satisfaction. Approach challenges as if you own the company, balancing innovation with strategic business goals.
3. Build alliances. Collaboration is key. Network within your organization to build a coalition of supporters for your ideas. Leverage the expertise of your colleagues and align your initiatives with your company’s overarching goals.
4. Start small. Big changes often begin with small experiments. Pitch pilot projects to test your ideas, demonstrating their value with measurable results before scaling.
5. Communicate effectively. Articulate your vision clearly and align it with your company’s mission. Make the case for why your initiative is worth investing in and how it will benefit the organization as a whole.
Why intrapreneurship matters
Utah’s unique economy, marked by rapid growth and innovation, makes it an ideal breeding ground for intrapreneurs. Companies across the state are constantly seeking ways to stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. Intrapreneurship provides an avenue for employees to channel entrepreneurial energy without needing to leave their organizations.
For employers, fostering intrapreneurship leads to increased innovation, employee engagement, and internal growth opportunities. It’s also a powerful way to retain top talent — those who might otherwise leave to start their own ventures are instead given the autonomy and resources to innovate within their current roles.
Take, for instance, Utah’s booming tech sector. Companies like Adobe and Qualtrics didn’t get to the top by resting on their laurels. They’ve thrived by fostering a culture where employees are encouraged to think like entrepreneurs, continuously challenging the status quo and driving change from within.
Creating a culture of intrapreneurship in Utah
For intrapreneurship to flourish, businesses must create an environment that encourages it. This means fostering a culture of trust, autonomy and creativity while providing employees with the resources they need to experiment and innovate.
Utah companies can look to global examples for inspiration. Take 3M, where the development of the Post-it Note began as a side project by employee Spencer Silver. Or Amazon, where Jeff Bezos championed Amazon Web Services (AWS), which grew to become the company’s primary profit driver. These companies succeeded because they gave their employees the space to explore, fail and ultimately innovate.
Intrapreneurship is not just a trend — it’s a powerful tool for growth, innovation and resilience. By embracing it, Utah companies can stay competitive in a rapidly changing world, while employees can find fulfillment in driving meaningful change without stepping into the unknown. For the Silicon Slopes, intrapreneurship might just be the key to scaling new heights.