Many entrepreneurs in Indonesia focus primarily on running their businesses but often overlook the importance of formalizing their business entities. This issue is particularly common among technology entrepreneurs in the early stages of launching startups. Legal matters are frequently perceived as costly, and early-stage startups with limited profits often view these issues as unnecessary.

This perspective was highlighted by Rizky Abdurachman Adiwilaga, a lawyer and intellectual property consultant, during his guest lecture at the SBM ITB, on Tuesday (10/12). The lecture, Managing Legal Issues in Technopreneurship, aimed to provide students with practical insights into the legal aspects of technology entrepreneurship, shared directly by an expert in the field.

Rizky emphasized the importance of carefully selecting the appropriate business structure when starting a company, as different business entities come with distinct characteristics and implications. Understanding the chosen business structure is essential for technology entrepreneurs to ensure smooth operations and legal compliance. He also stressed that adhering to intellectual property regulations is crucial for avoiding disputes between inventors and patent holders.

“Protecting intellectual property is at the core of a technology business,” Rizky explained. He pointed out that intellectual property—such as copyrights, patents, and trade secrets—is a vital asset. Since some of the world’s largest companies operate in the technology sector, securing patents ensures exclusive innovation rights. In Indonesia, several startups have already embraced intellectual property commercialization, utilizing trademarks and certificate numbers to protect their assets.

Maintaining legal compliance is equally important for preventing violations and ensuring the integrity of the business. Rizky underlined that safeguarding intellectual property and adhering to legal requirements protect startups from legal disputes and prevent the misuse of assets by irresponsible parties.

Written by Student Reporter (Neva Vanessa Young, Entrepreneurship 2026)