The Role of Innovation and Technology Management in New Product Success in Digital Startups in Indonesia: A Case Study in the Edutech Industry
Keywords:
Innovation Management, Technological Capability , Edutech Startup , New Product Development , Digital LearningAbstract
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the role of innovation management and technological capability in driving the success of new product development among digital Edutech startups in Indonesia. Amid a rapidly expanding startup ecosystem, many ventures struggle to translate innovation into sustainable user adoption and learning impact. This research addresses the strategic mechanisms that distinguish successful educational technology products from underperforming ones.
Subjects and Methods: Fifteen Edutech startups operating in Indonesia were selected using purposive sampling, focusing on those that launched at least one product in the last two years. A mixed-methods approach was employed: quantitative data were collected through structured innovation and technology capability assessments (scored 1–5) and product success metrics (adoption rate, retention, time-to-market). Qualitative insights were obtained through interviews with product managers and founders to contextualize the innovation processes.
Results: The findings reveal that startups with high innovation implementation scores (≥ 4.5) and strong technological capability (≥ 4.6) consistently achieve superior product success, marked by adoption rates above 80% and high user retention. These ventures embed user-centered feedback loops, agile product development cycles, and platform flexibility. Conversely, startups lacking structural innovation processes and technological integration exhibited lower market traction and product sustainability.
Conclusions: Innovation management and technological readiness emerge as decisive, interdependent factors in the success of Edutech product development. For startups in emerging markets, success hinges not merely on feature novelty but on organizational learning, cross-functional agility, and technological responsiveness to dynamic educational needs.
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