8 Intrapreneurship Books That Drive Innovation and Growth

Recommended by Rnold Rnz, Nicholas Thompson, and Michele Romanow for mastering Intrapreneurship

Rnold Rnz
Updated on June 24, 2025
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What if the future of innovation doesn't just come from startups but from the intrapreneurs quietly reshaping giant corporations from within? Intrapreneurship is gaining momentum as businesses strive to stay competitive by nurturing entrepreneurial spirit inside their walls. Leaders like Eric Ries and Chitra Anand show how embedding startup principles in established companies can drive growth and unlock hidden potential.

Industry voices such as Rnold Rnz, co-founder in insurtech and blockchain, highlight The Startup Way for its practical insights on fostering entrepreneurial management. Meanwhile, Nicholas Thompson, Editor in Chief of Wired, and Michele Romanow, serial entrepreneur and Dragon on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, praise The Greenhouse Approach for revealing how to cultivate innovation mindsets that challenge consensus and empower employees.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific experience, goals, or industry might consider creating a personalized Intrapreneurship book that builds on these insights and fits their unique journey.

Best for embedding entrepreneurial culture
Rnold Rnz, co-founder active in insurtech and blockchain, shares how meeting Eric Ries in San Francisco deepened his appreciation for entrepreneurial management in established companies. He recalls, "2 years ago in San Fran I got to meet world famous, yet friendly and humble Eric Ries, author of The Startup Way. Awesome book full of principles companies should consider to help embrace an Entrepreneurial mindset." This encounter highlighted for him how Ries’s approach reshapes corporate culture and drives innovation, making the book a compelling guide for those seeking to embed startup thinking within larger organizations.
RR

Recommended by Rnold Rnz

Co-Founder in Insurtech and Blockchain

2 years ago in San Fran I got to meet world famous, yet friendly and humble Eric Ries, author of The Startup Way. Awesome book full of principles companies should consider to help embrace an Entrepreneurial mindset. (from X)

Drawing from his extensive experience with startups and Fortune 500 companies, Eric Ries explores how entrepreneurial management principles can revitalize established organizations. You learn how to implement continuous innovation cycles, foster adaptable cultures, and embed lean startup methods within large enterprises, as illustrated through examples from Amazon, Toyota, and Airbnb. The book breaks down how to balance sustaining core operations while driving disruptive growth, making it particularly useful if you're leading innovation in a mature company or navigating organizational change. While it may challenge traditional corporate structures, it offers a pragmatic framework for anyone aiming to transform culture and drive long-term growth.

Bestselling Author Eric Ries
Published by Crown Currency
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Best for cultivating innovation mindsets
Nicholas Thompson, Editor in Chief of Wired, recommends this book for its deep insights into thriving amid constant change. He highlights how Chitra Anand's approach reshapes understanding of innovation, making it essential for businesses aiming to stay competitive. Thompson’s endorsement reflects the book’s ability to challenge traditional views and inspire fresh thinking. Similarly, John Ruffolo, CEO of OMERS Ventures, praises the book for questioning limiting ideas like consensus thinking and championing first principles in innovation. Their combined expertise underscores the book’s relevance for organizations seeking to empower intrapreneurship.

Recommended by Nicholas Thompson

Editor in Chief of Wired

The Greenhouse Approach is full of insights, lessons, and stories for businesses seeking to thrive in this world of constant change. Chitra Anand has found new ways to understand innovation―which may well be the most important thing for us all to think about.

2019·192 pages·Intrapreneurship, Innovation and Ideation, Organizational Culture, Creative Thinking, Leadership Development

Drawing from over two decades in technology marketing and communications, Chitra Anand explores how companies can unleash internal entrepreneurial spirit to stay competitive. You’ll learn how to identify and nurture creative problem solvers within your organization and build a culture that supports continuous innovation, with practical examples illustrating how to challenge consensus thinking and apply fresh perspectives. The book particularly benefits leaders and managers seeking to transform traditional structures and empower employees to drive change from within. Chapters on redefining norms and fostering diverse innovation mindsets offer concrete ways to cultivate intrapreneurship that adapts to shifting markets.

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Best for personalized innovation plans
This custom AI book on intrapreneurship is created based on your company background and your goals for fostering innovation culture. You share what aspects of intrapreneurship and innovation you want to explore, and this book is crafted to focus on exactly those areas. Using AI to tailor the content means you get a clear, relevant pathway through complex ideas that fit your unique situation, making it easier to inspire and maintain an entrepreneurial spirit within your organization.
2025·50-300 pages·Intrapreneurship, Innovation Culture, Organizational Change, Employee Empowerment, Creative Thinking

This tailored book explores the dynamic world of intrapreneurship by focusing on methods to build and sustain an innovation culture within your company. It reveals how entrepreneurial spirit can thrive inside established organizations, addressing your specific interests and goals with a personalized approach. The content matches your background and examines practical ways to nurture creativity, empower teams, and embed intrapreneurial practices that spark growth and transformation. By synthesizing core principles with your unique context, this book guides you through the complexities of fostering innovation culture, making the learning experience both relevant and actionable.

Tailored Handbook
Innovation Culture Design
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for managers driving business model change
Uli Grothe is a business innovation expert who has coached countless executives across industries and is a sought-after keynote speaker. Together with Mat Lock, he developed a unique approach to empower managers at all levels to become innovators within their organizations. Their method helps established companies break free from conventional strategies by systematically attacking industry assumptions and creating momentum for new business models, making this book a practical guide for anyone looking to lead change from within.
2017·206 pages·Intrapreneurship, Business Models, Innovation Strategy, Corporate Management, Change Leadership

Unlike most intrapreneurship books that focus on broad innovation principles, this work by business innovation expert Uli Grothe and collaborator Mat Lock dives into the mindset shift required to turn corporate managers into pioneers of new business models. You learn how to systematically challenge your company's status quo, playfully dissect your industry, and rally fellow managers around bold, disruptive ideas. Chapters detail methods to craft and implement innovations alongside existing operations, making it practical for any manager eager to outpace competitors. This book suits managers at all levels who want a fresh, strategic toolkit for internal transformation rather than abstract motivation.

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Best for practical intrapreneurship strategies
Louis K. Gump brings his extensive leadership experience in digital media and organizational transformation to this guide aimed at internal innovators. As president of Cambian Solutions and former senior executive at Cox Media and NewsON, Gump understands the complexities of fostering innovation within established companies. His book distills decades of expertise and industry insights to help you succeed as an intrapreneur, offering practical guidance for creating value and driving change inside your organization.
2024·264 pages·Intrapreneurship, Strategy, Organizational Change, Innovation, Leadership

Louis K. Gump's extensive leadership in digital media and organizational change shapes this guide that addresses the unique challenges of innovating within established companies. Drawing from decades of experience leading major media divisions and interviews with industry leaders, Gump offers frameworks to help you navigate corporate structures while fostering innovation. The book covers how to create value internally by developing new products and services without the freedoms of entrepreneurship. If you’re aiming to drive meaningful change inside your organization, this book provides concrete strategies and tools, illustrated with examples from diverse sectors, to help you grow your influence and achieve impactful results.

Amazon Bestseller in Strategy & Competition
Published by Fast Company Press
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Best for mastering idea management
Kevin C. Desouza is the director of the Metropolitan Institute and an associate professor at Virginia Tech, with over 125 published articles and extensive consulting experience. His deep expertise in strategic management inspired this book, which draws on his work with thirty global organizations to address why great ideas often struggle to gain traction internally. Desouza’s insights equip you to harness your own ideas and those around you, helping shift organizational culture toward embracing innovation from within.
Intrapreneurship, Innovation and Ideation, Innovation, Strategy, Management

While working as an academic and consultant, Kevin C. Desouza noticed how organizations struggle to harness employee ideas effectively. His book breaks down the challenges individuals face in advocating for their innovations within corporate structures and offers practical frameworks for both managers and employees to channel ideas productively. You’ll learn how to identify and nurture different types of ideas—from breakthrough products to incremental process improvements—through real-world examples drawn from his consulting with global firms. This book suits those aiming to foster an entrepreneurial culture internally or seeking to leverage their creativity to impact their organizations meaningfully.

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Best for custom 30-day plans
This AI-created book on intrapreneurship skills is crafted based on your background and the specific innovation goals you want to achieve. You share your experience level and areas of interest, then receive a tailored 30-day plan focused on delivering quick, meaningful results within your organization. This personalized approach makes sense because intrapreneurship requires navigating unique corporate cultures and challenges, so a one-size-fits-all guide often falls short. By focusing specifically on your needs, this book helps you accelerate your innovation journey effectively and confidently.
2025·50-300 pages·Intrapreneurship, Innovation Mindset, Organizational Dynamics, Entrepreneurial Thinking, Rapid Experimentation

This tailored book focuses on accelerating your intrapreneurship skills through a personalized 30-day plan designed to deliver tangible results quickly. It explores how to cultivate innovation mindsets, navigate organizational dynamics, and apply entrepreneurial thinking within existing corporations. By matching your background and goals, this book guides you step-by-step, addressing your specific interests and challenges in intrapreneurship. Readers will engage with tailored content that breaks down complex innovation concepts into manageable daily actions. The approach reveals how to harness creativity, build influence, and generate impactful wins inside your organization, making your intrapreneurial journey both practical and inspiring.

Tailored Blueprint
Innovation Acceleration
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for applying lean startup in corporations
Trevor Owens, an entrepreneur and recognized authority on Lean Startup practices, brings his expertise as the founder of Javelin.com, a company renowned for its innovation training and Lean Startup Machine workshop. His deep understanding of how startups rapidly develop products informs this book’s approach to helping established corporations innovate more effectively. Owens’ background working with major companies like Google and Salesforce uniquely qualifies him to guide organizations seeking to adopt startup agility at scale.
2014·256 pages·Intrapreneurship, Innovation, Strategy, Product Development, Lean Startup

Drawing from his extensive experience as the founder of Javelin.com and a pioneer of Lean Startup methodologies, Trevor Owens co-authors this book to bridge the gap between nimble startups and large established corporations. You’ll learn how to implement startup-inspired processes within complex organizations, including how to overcome internal bureaucracy and foster innovation through specific tools and incentive structures. The book dives into practical examples like innovation labs and integration of startups to illustrate these strategies. It’s particularly useful if you’re a product manager or executive aiming to revitalize your company’s innovation engine without losing sight of scale and structure.

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Best for identifying and nurturing intrapreneurs
Susan Foley is Managing Partner of Corporate Entrepreneurs LLC, a firm dedicated to helping organizations build intrapreneurship as a core growth capability. Drawing on her deep experience as an intrapreneur and consultant across industries, she wrote this book to demystify intrapreneurs and close the gap between theory and practice. Her pioneering research and work with intrapreneurs worldwide provide the foundation for a roadmap to identify, understand, and empower these vital contributors to innovation and business growth.
2020·310 pages·Intrapreneurship, Leadership, Innovation, Talent Development, Organizational Change

Susan Foley draws from her extensive experience as an intrapreneur and consultant to large corporations to explore exactly who intrapreneurs are and how they operate within established organizations. You’ll gain a nuanced understanding of the characteristics, motivations, and challenges these innovators face, along with practical insights into identifying and nurturing them. The book offers detailed profiles and real-world examples that clarify the distinctions between intrapreneurs and traditional employees, making it especially useful if you're leading innovation or talent development teams. Whether you’re an executive aiming to cultivate growth internally or an aspiring intrapreneur yourself, Foley’s work sheds light on how these individuals drive meaningful change amid complexity.

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Best for building intrapreneurship skills
Neetu Rishi, CEO and Founder at The Success Door, LLC, brings two decades of expertise in human resources, marketing, and IT to this book. Certified in Dale Carnegie programs and a seasoned leadership coach, she wrote this after years of guiding individuals to realize their potential. Her passion for making a societal impact shines through as she shares 10 actionable formulas to sharpen your intrapreneurship journey and take charge of your personal and professional life.
I am Unstoppable: Unleash your Intrapreneurship Skills book cover

by Neetu Rishi, Jeline Gulley, Nupur Rishi, Arun Sharma··You?

2021·96 pages·Intrapreneurship, Personal Development, Leadership, Professional Growth, Motivation

What started as Neetu Rishi's mission to empower go-getters became a focused guide on mastering intrapreneurship through small, consistent efforts. This book walks you through 10 practical tools and techniques, illustrated with stories and visuals, designed to reshape your approach to progress and success. You'll find exercises that prompt self-reflection and strategies to balance personal and professional growth, making it suitable whether you're an entrepreneur, employee, or someone eager to take control of your life. It’s a straightforward, no-frills manual that encourages you to stop talking and start doing, without promising overnight success but rather steady transformation.

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Conclusion

This collection reveals three powerful themes: embedding entrepreneurial culture within large organizations, identifying and empowering intrapreneurial talent, and applying practical innovation strategies tailored to corporate realities. If you’re navigating organizational change, start with The Startup Way and Rocking the Ship to understand cultural transformation and business model reinvention.

For those eager to sharpen specific skills or lead internal innovation projects, The Inside Innovator and Intrapreneurs offer actionable guidance on navigating corporate structures and developing intrapreneurial capabilities. Combining these with I am Unstoppable can help build personal momentum and resilience.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized Intrapreneurship book to bridge the gap between broad principles and your unique situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and confidently drive change from within your organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with The Startup Way, which offers a solid foundation on entrepreneurial management within corporations. It sets the stage for understanding intrapreneurship’s cultural impact before diving into more specialized topics.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to Intrapreneurship?

Not at all. Books like I am Unstoppable provide accessible tools for beginners to build essential intrapreneurship skills, while others offer deeper insights for more experienced readers.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with mindset-focused books like The Greenhouse Approach and The Startup Way, then explore practical guides such as The Inside Innovator and Intrapreneurs. Finish with skill-building reads like I am Unstoppable.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick a book that aligns with your current goals, but reading multiple titles will give you a richer understanding of intrapreneurship from culture to execution.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

Intrapreneurship by Kevin C. Desouza leans toward theory and frameworks, while The Inside Innovator and Rocking the Ship offer hands-on strategies and real-world examples.

Can personalized intrapreneurship books complement these expert titles?

Yes! Personalized books build on expert knowledge by tailoring insights to your unique background and goals, making it easier to apply principles effectively. Learn more here.

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