WHITEWATER, WIS. — On June 12, 2025, the Wisconsin Technology Council’s Innovation Network hosted a highly anticipated luncheon at the Whitewater University Innovation Center. The event, centered around the theme of “intrapreneurship,” brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals to explore how employees within organizations can adopt an entrepreneurial mindset to drive innovation and growth.
Intrapreneurship — the practice of fostering entrepreneurial thinking among employees to spark new ideas and business initiatives — has emerged as an essential strategy for companies striving to stay competitive in today’s rapidly evolving market. This luncheon provided a unique opportunity for professionals to exchange strategies and share insights on cultivating an intrapreneurial culture that drives organizational success.
Empowering Employees to Innovate from Within
The event opened with a keynote address that underscored the significance of intrapreneurship in modern business practices. The speaker, Tom Still, president of the Wisconsin Technology Council, emphasized that in today’s fast-paced business world, companies must look beyond traditional models to ensure their sustainability and growth. He argued that empowering employees to think like entrepreneurs within their organizations could unlock untapped potential.
“Employees are often the most valuable source of innovation within a company,” Still said. “By giving them the freedom to take risks and think outside the box, businesses can tap into new ideas and solutions that may have been overlooked in the past.”
Still’s address set the stage for the day’s discussions, which focused on the critical role of intrapreneurship in driving business agility and fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration. The idea is simple: companies that embrace innovation internally — by encouraging staff members to approach problems with an entrepreneurial mindset — are more likely to adapt and thrive in an ever-changing market.
Industry Experts Share Intrapreneurship Success Stories
The luncheon also featured presentations from three accomplished industry leaders who have successfully implemented intrapreneurial initiatives in their organizations. Each speaker shared their experiences, offering valuable insights into the strategies and best practices that have led to their success.
Susan Marshall, Vice President of Product Development at a leading tech firm, discussed the importance of creating an “innovation lab” within an organization. Marshall’s company had developed a dedicated space where employees could collaborate and experiment with new ideas, free from the constraints of their usual responsibilities. This initiative, she said, allowed her team to innovate rapidly and explore solutions to complex challenges.
“We found that when employees are given the time and resources to experiment, they often come up with ideas that push the boundaries of what we thought was possible,” Marshall said. “This culture of innovation has been instrumental in helping us stay ahead of competitors.”
Another speaker, David Jacobs, CEO of a Wisconsin-based manufacturing company, highlighted how his organization has cultivated an intrapreneurial framework that encouraged employees to take ownership of projects and develop new products. Jacobs emphasized that leadership support and an open, inclusive company culture were key factors in the success of their intrapreneurial initiatives.
“We needed to empower our employees to take the initiative and provide them with the tools to succeed,” Jacobs said. “Intrapreneurship has allowed our teams to create new solutions that have driven business growth and helped us expand into new markets.”
Networking Opportunities and Collaborative Discussions
As the event progressed, attendees had the opportunity to network and engage in breakout sessions. These small-group discussions allowed participants to brainstorm ideas, share challenges, and explore how they could implement intrapreneurship within their own organizations. The collaborative environment fostered creative thinking and sparked meaningful conversations about the practical application of the strategies shared earlier in the day.
For many attendees, the luncheon provided a fresh perspective on how they could drive innovation within their companies. Local business owners and entrepreneurs shared how they planned to integrate intrapreneurial strategies into their workplaces, ranging from product development initiatives to process improvement projects.
“I came here hoping to learn more about innovation, and I’ve walked away with several actionable ideas on how we can empower our team to be more entrepreneurial in their roles,” said Laura Grant, a local startup founder. “It’s clear that fostering intrapreneurship could be a game-changer for us.”
Wisconsin’s Growing Focus on Innovation
As the luncheon came to a close, attendees left with a renewed sense of optimism about the potential for intrapreneurship to reshape business practices. The event also reinforced Wisconsin’s growing reputation as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. The Wisconsin Technology Council plans to continue supporting initiatives that encourage intrapreneurship, recognizing its critical role in fostering business sustainability and driving economic growth.
“We’re excited to see how the conversations sparked today will translate into action,” Still concluded. “Intrapreneurship is about empowering employees, driving growth, and ultimately creating a more adaptable, resilient workforce.”