<![CDATA[The rapid expansion of the gig economy has transformed collaborative practices among micro entrepreneurs, particularly within informal creative sectors in developing economies. However, existing studies largely focus on platform-based labor and formalized value co-creation, leaving the lived experiences of micro entrepreneurs in emerging creative hubs underexplored. This study aims to explore how micro entrepreneurs engage in value co-creation within Indonesia’s emerging creative ecosystems. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis involving 25 micro entrepreneurs from the F&B, barista, artisan, and creative sectors in Indonesian creative hubs. The findings reveal that value co-creation is deeply embedded in relational trust, community reciprocity, hybrid digital–community interaction, and identity formation. Co-creation practices were found to function not only as economic strategies but also as mechanisms for collective resilience, social belonging, and entrepreneurial legitimacy. The study extends the literature on Service-Dominant Logic and gig economy research by highlighting the socio-cultural and place-based dimensions of collaborative entrepreneurship in developing economies. Practically, the findings provide insights for policymakers, creative hub managers, and micro entrepreneurs in fostering sustainable and inclusive creative ecosystems.]]>
