The Intrapreneurship Series: Driving Innovation from Within

We all know that entrepreneurs and start-ups are great vehicles for new ideas and solving problems. But businesses of all types can drive innovation from within by fostering intrapreneurship. Intrapreneurs drive change from within established businesses, learn new skills, refine processes, and grow businesses into new markets. The Open University’s (OU) four-part Intrapreneurship Series of webinars gives businesses (and aspiring intrapreneurs) the tools to understand intrapreneurship, create a culture for it to thrive, and tips to deliver change in key areas such as tech, AI, and sustainability.

What is being discussed in the series?

The four webinars are hosted by engineer and innovation advisor, Josh Valman, CEO of RPDK.

The Host: Josh Valman
Josh Valman founded RPDK, a business joining the dots between ideas and mass production. RPDK helped businesses take concepts and prototypes, create commercial engineering designs, and set up supply chains to launch and scale new products. Josh is now the CEO of RPDK, innovation advisor to the Royal Academy of Engineering, Investment Committee Board Member at the British Design Fund, and Board Member of multiple engineering and innovation businesses.

Webinar Schedule:

1. Intrapreneurial Thinking 101
   Date: Wednesday, 26 February, 10-11am
   Guests: Katherine Morgan, Head of High Growth & Entrepreneurs at Barclays, and Dr. Aqueel Wahga, Senior Lecturer in Management
   This webinar is designed to inspire employers, unpacking the unique mindset and skills that distinguish intrapreneurs and how these individuals can be identified and enabled in an organisational environment.
2. Fostering an Intrapreneurial Culture
   Date: Wednesday, 12 March, 10-11am
   Guests: Duncan Levesley from Grant Thornton, Darryl Merkli of marketing agency HUT 3, and OU Honorary Doctor and CEO of Traid, Maria Chenoweth
   This session looks at how employers can build an intrapreneurial culture.
3. Making a Difference: Digital and AI
   Date: Wednesday, 26 March, 10-11am
   Guests: Jane Dickinson, OU’s Digital Skills Lead, Julian Hall, OU Entrepreneur in Residence, and Darren Campbell from Capgemini
   This session focuses on technology and AI.
4. Making a Difference: Sustainability
   Date: Wednesday, 9 April, 10-11am
   Guests: Victoria Hands, OU Sustainability Director, Alex Cole, OU Entrepreneur in Residence, and Bridgman and Bridgman, green roof specialists
   This session discusses how intrapreneurs can tackle sustainable business challenges.

The Intrapreneurship Series: Driving innovation from within | Open University

Empowering Intrapreneurship in Your Business

The Open University in Ireland supports intrapreneurs and businesses in several ways:

• Skills Development: The triple-accredited Business School offers a wide range of programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, such as the MBA. Our flexible learning and development solutions include modules, microcredentials, and pathways that enhance skills in innovation, leadership, and enterprise.
• Networking: The Business School has a global network of more than 116,000 alumni in over 130 countries, including a network of over 28,000 MBA graduates.
• Support Programmes: The OU’s Open Business Creators programme guides entrepreneurial activity, and the Business Export Exchange Programme, a partnership with TIN Ventures, supports established entrepreneurs to access international markets.
• Research Funding: Open Societal Challenges enables people and businesses to come together to address some of society’s greatest issues – tackling inequality, driving sustainability, and removing barriers to people living well.

To watch the series, register here:  The Intrapreneurship Series: Driving innovation from within | Open University