Do Bigger Things: Ecosystem Innovation to Solve Hard Problems and Create Bold Opportunities

Imagine a world where complex problems that once seemed insurmountable suddenly become solvable—not by a lone genius or a single invention—but by a vibrant network of people, organizations, and technologies working in harmony. This is the essence of ecosystem innovation: a powerful approach that assembles diverse Legos from the world around us to build solutions that matter. Consider a small-town musical production, where actors, musicians, lighting technicians, costumers, promoters, and volunteers come together in a seamless dance to create an experience that delights thousands. Each participant plays a role, and together they form a living, breathing ecosystem that achieves what no individual could alone.

Now, stretch this idea to the scale of healthcare in a populous country where millions suffer from preventable blindness. Traditional approaches that throw money at isolated problems—more doctors, more supplies—fall short because they miss the bigger picture. What’s needed is a complete ecosystem that weaves together training, manufacturing, service delivery, and accessibility into a sustainable whole. This holistic approach has saved millions of lives, proving that integrated ecosystems can tackle challenges that piecemeal efforts cannot.

Similarly, in the world of business, disruption often comes not from incremental improvements but from reimagining entire ecosystems. A startup that bypassed century-old retail distribution by offering affordable razors through a subscription service reshaped the shaving market. By assembling new building blocks—viral marketing, direct sales, outsourced manufacturing—they created a new game with different rules, capturing significant market share from entrenched giants.

Social innovation also benefits from ecosystem thinking. In remote regions where electricity is scarce, empowering women entrepreneurs with solar products, training, and community support has sparked a wave of economic and social transformation. These entrepreneurs become the backbone of a new ecosystem, delivering clean energy and opportunity to millions.

What unites these stories is the recognition that innovation is not about isolated inventions but about creating interconnected systems that work in the real world. Ecosystem innovation embraces complexity, leverages diversity, and breaks free from traditional constraints to deliver impact at scale. As we journey deeper, we will explore how people—innovation choreographers—bring these ecosystems to life, navigating uncertainty and inspiring collaboration. Let’s move forward to understand the vital role of these orchestrators who make ecosystem innovation possible.