Woodbine Entertainment Group (WEG), iBoost and Ryerson University’s Office of the Vice President, Research and Innovation today announced that they are partnering to launch a new initiative that will challenge Canadian start-ups, entrepreneurs, developers and students to use technology to help bring the traditional sport of Horse Racing to the next level. The program, called Horse Racing 3.0: Changing the Game, will seek new and innovative product solutions, to help drive sustainable growth and revenue within the horse racing industry.
“At Woodbine, we are continuously looking for ways to modernize our industry to ensure a sustainable future for Horse Racing in Ontario and gaming is a key piece of the equation,” said Jim Lawson, CEO of WEG. “Our plan in leading the industry is to develop ways to reach and engage a younger demographic. We are excited to partner with Ryerson and work with Canadians pushing the boundaries of technology in traditional industries that help transform our sport for generations to come.”
Kicking off on September 23, participants will engage in a 1.5 day long “Design Jam” where they will work with WEG staff and mentors to develop their initial ideas. Teams will then have three months to refine their idea into a commercially viable Proof of Concept. During this stage, teams will be asked to participate in bi-weekly workshops to meet with mentors and set growth milestones. Teams that meet their milestones will be invited to present their solutions to a panel of judges for a chance to be selected as the top team.