No company can grow alone in an era of interconnected industries. For this reason, a company needs to understand the concept of open innovation, where companies do not only rely on internal innovation but also involve external parties.
Indra Purnama, the Executive Director of MIKTI (Indonesian Information and Communication Technology Creative Industry Society), highlighted the significance of open innovation during a guest lecture on the Business Ecosystem for the Entrepreneurship Class of 2025 at SBM ITB, on Tuesday, April 22. Indra, who was previously involved with Indigo, has extensive experience in developing business ecosystems.
Indra explained that open innovation is a broad concept that encompasses different forms of external collaboration. This includes partnerships with startups, educational institutions, and research organizations, as well as direct engagement with the community. Many companies adopt open innovation to gain new perspectives, find faster and more cost-effective solutions, and access talented individuals who may not be available within the organization.
Moreover, companies also implement open innovation to remain relevant in the face of disruption that continues to occur in various industries. The main motives of this open innovation include obtaining results (yield) in the form of profit, growth in company value (gain), and creating synergy between existing products and startup innovations.
“A strong industry can only be built on quality startups, and enhancing talent is essential for that,” said Indra.
He emphasized that innovation does not exist in isolation; it relies on a robust ecosystem. In the development process, all elements within this ecosystem are interconnected.
A healthy community cultivates high-quality talent, which in turn drives the development of strong pre-startups. These pre-startups evolve into successful startups that contribute to a highly competitive industry. Each stage in this ecosystem is interconnected, with every component reinforcing and supporting the others.
This session emphasizes that innovation cannot thrive in isolation. Broad and open collaboration among diverse stakeholders is essential for building a resilient business ecosystem. Open innovation is not just a strategy; it is the foundation for the future of Indonesia’s digital creative industry.
