The article examines the complex problem of technological innovation formation in the digital economy paradigm. Based on the synthesis of theories of organizational learning, open innovation and management of human capital ecosystems, a conceptual model is developed. The model describes the relationship between external technological search strategies (characterized by intensity and scale), absorption capacity based on scientific knowledge and the resulting innovation productivity. To assess the sustainability of the reproduction system of the key actor of innovation (human capital), the apparatus of stochastic modeling and multicriteria optimization is proposed. The modeling results indicate a nonlinear and indirect influence of the factors under study, which necessitates adaptive strategies for knowledge search and risk management at the macro and micro levels.