The LCBO has opened an offsite lab within Communitech, a Waterloo-based technology hub where startups and global corporations have the opportunity to collaborate and develop projects.
“Communitech is a remote incubator of ideas,” said Michael Eubanks, senior vice president and chief information officer at the LCBO in a statement sent to MobileSyrup. “It’s a space away from LCBO’s head office where people can come together and use their energy to think differently and see differently.”
LCBO Next will be focused on creating apps, algorithms, and gamification, related to the LCBO’s brand, according to Eubanks’ statement in the press release. This is the first time a Crown corporation has opened an offsite lab within Communitech’s innovation hub.
“There are a number of reasons why we are doing this,” said Eubanks. “One of the things is that it’s crucial for IT to acquire young talent for our future. By a paid internship, we are directly engaging them and giving them a glimpse of what could be a great career here at the LCBO.”
Being part of Communitech allows the LCBO’s new initiative to connect with local universities in the region like Waterloo, Laurier and Fanshawe, with co-op students being given the opportunity to apply for a pair internships every four months. Eubanks claims that the LCBO’s partnership with Communitech has piqued the interest of government agencies, liquor boards and trade partners, though no specifics have been revealed.
The LCBO recently launched online store and delivery for beer wine and spirits, a move that was well-received by consumers.
This article was originally published on MobileSyrup