Agricultural innovation in developing countries increasingly confronts challenges of complexity that transcend the capacity of any single organisation. The DeSIRA Initiative, funded by the European Commission, has invested in collaborative approaches that bring together research institutions, government agencies, farmer organisations, private sector entities, and civil society in various configurations of collaborative platforms. This learning review examined eight diverse case studies to understand what makes these collaborative platforms effective. The case studies revealed four distinct types of collaborative platforms, each addressing different needs in agricultural innovation systems: 1. Connectors that bridge communities with centres of power and resources 2. Policy platforms that focus on policy change and scaling 3. Power brokers that address competing interests and power imbalances blocking innovation 4. Knowledge integrators that bring together scientific expertise and local wisdom. Analysis across these different platforms, guided by an analytical framework inspired by the Capabilities, Opportunities, and Motivation model for Behavioural change (COM-B), reveals that successful collaboration emerges not from rushing to show quick results but from deliberate investment in three interconnected domains: building collaborative capabilities, enhancing opportunities for engagement and resource access, and continuously reaffirming the legitimacy of the collaborative process and its outcomes. The COM-B elements work together synergistically— improved capabilities help stakeholders better recognise and act on opportunities, while positive experiences strengthen motivation for continued engagement. Practical benefits (or the expectation thereof) for all stakeholders drive sustained engagement, whilst trust in the collaborative process is critical for overcoming differences and negotiating trade- offs. Successful collaboration requires deliberate investment in develo