Hospital innovation: emlyon and HCL bring intrapreneurship to healthcare
Hospices Civils de Lyon (HCL) and emlyon business school have joined forces to launch a groundbreaking intrapreneurship programme to address two major challenges in healthcare: innovation and talent retention. The initiative helps healthcare professionals both build new skills and transform their ideas into practical, sector-specific projects.
A structured innovation framework
The collaboration began in April 2021 when HCL created an internal support program with two clear goals: driving innovation from within and strengthening its appeal as an employer. In October 2022, HCL partnered with emlyon to secure the programme’s long-term success, drawing on the school’s expertise in business acceleration.
Together, they developed a five-month pilot program for ten professionals, structured around five modules that blended academic theory with real-world insight from MedTech entrepreneurs. Based on feedback from this first group, the program was refined to better reflect the realities of hospital-based intrapreneurship.
Taking a tailored approach to healthcare innovation
The redesigned program, launched in September 2024, has guided twelve participants through a five-month applied innovation training journey.
“Each participant is part of a larger team, acting as an ‘innovation champion’ within their department,” explains Sylvie Gomes, intrapreneurship expert and faculty member at emlyon business school.
The training consists of five core modules, each delivered in a three-hour session:
- Discovering your intrapreneur identity
- Building Project Support and Momentum
- Developing intrapreneur leadership presence
- Measuring project impact
- Leveraging your professional growth
Participants put theory into practice through hands-on exercises.
“Intrapreneurship in healthcare demands a specialized approach,” says Axelle Graham, custom training project manager at emlyon. “Success is measured not only by financial performance but also by social impact.”
To meet these specific needs, the program combines agile project management methodology from a specialist impact-driven consultancy with emlyon’s expertise in soft skills development.
An evidence-based learning model
The program is grounded in an innovative skills mapping system developed by emlyon researchers.
“Our approach helps participants track their progress through regular self-assessments,” explains Sylvie. “It boosts intrinsic motivation and empowers individuals – both key ingredients for effective adult learning.”
The learning model is built around three key pillars:
- Team performance: “Successful intrapreneurs need to unite even small teams,” says Sylvie. “That means creating trust-based environments where leadership is distributed and driven by complementary skillsets.”
- Stakeholder and resource management: “In healthcare, where resources are often stretched, building alliances and creating shared value is essential,” she adds. These organizational diplomacy skills are particularly important when innovations challenge established practices.
- Personal development: Participants build resilience, perseverance and the ability to handle uncertainty through a system of self-assessment and peer evaluation.
Cultural Transformation Through Diversity
HCL's ambitions extend beyond supporting individual projects – it’s about embedding innovation into the organizational fabric of its 13 facilities across Greater Lyon.
“This program is a powerful tool for retaining talent,” says Axelle. “It empowers intrapreneurs as institutional partners, giving them a broader, more strategic perspective and greater agency.”
The program’s strength lies in the diversity of participants. From physicians and clinical staff to healthcare managers, department directors and engineers, each person brings their expertise and on-the-ground perspective. This creates a dynamic where clinical expertise merges with organizational vision and patient care insights, fostering truly innovative solutions tailored to hospital needs.
Real-world impact
“This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone but kept me grounded in clinical reality,” shares one doctor. “I now have a clearer, more strategic view of my project and how to take it forward.”
Meanwhile, one healthcare manager highlights the network-building benefits: “Beyond skills development, I’ve established valuable connections throughout the hospital. Now I know who to turn to to progress my projects.”
Others point to the soft skills they’ve developed. “Team engagement and information-sharing were big challenges for us,” explains one department head. “This program equipped us with concrete methods to improve organization, impactful communication, and team engagement.”
A bold vision for the future
“Even if a project doesn’t come to fruition right away, the skills participants gain are invaluable,” says Sylvie. “Intrapreneurs act as a trailblazers – exploring innovation possibilities and evaluating strategic fit. These learnings can be applied to other contexts and future projects.”
To keep building on this momentum, emlyon business school and HCL are working on a dedicated intrapreneurship community, where alumni can stay connected, share knowledge, and support new intrapreneurs.
“Our ultimate goal is to build a learning community,” says Axelle. “One that can embed innovation and lasting change into everyday practice.”
Congratulations to the 2024–2025 cohort!
- Baptiste BALANCA – Chef de service d'anesthésie et réanimation
- Thierry BOURDON - Digital Learning Manager
- Sébastien DEBARBIEUX – Médecin, dermatologie
- Maxime DUCRET - Praticien Hospitalier & Enseignant Chercheur (Chirurgien Dentiste)
- Emmanuel GENNARO - Faisant Fonction Cadre Supérieur de Santé
- Fitsum GUEBRE EGZIABHER – Néphrologue
- Lauriane LOMBARDO - Cheffe de projet data
- Katia LUCINA - Directrice de la production et de la logistique
- Jean-François MENUDET - Responsable Station H
- Djamila RERBAL - Directrice médicale du CESU 69
- Hélène THIBAULT - Cardiologue
- Gwenaëlle THUAL - Patient coordinatrice