Purpose Hyper-collaboration means managing ecosystems not just as candy stores full of opportunities, but as fiercely competitive arenas in which companies fight for the best partners, technologies and networks to create, build and defend added value. Design/methodology/approach To address the challenges inherent in the dynamic world of hyper-collaboration, the authors identify the five pillars of ecosystem management and the priorities for implementing them. Findings To be successful, establish a clear vision and sense of purpose that guides the ecosystem evolution but is robust enough to deal with rapid changes. Practical implications Setting out clear IP principles is important, but it should be based on how best to maximize the overall value of the collaboration to all parties, rather than just protection. Originality/value Many of the world’s greatest technological challenges and opportunities, such as urbanization and mobility, are impossible to solve without forming a vast network of private and public organizations that work seamlessly together. Hyper-collaboration implies adopting a mindset that assumes it’s likely someone somewhere in the world already knows what you need to know to address such challenges– and it is unlikely that this person works in your company.