City of Kitchener launches Digital Kitchener Innovation Lab
In 2017, the City of Kitchener launched a new initiative with a big goal: to create a space where it could test ideas and use technology to improve public services. That space became the Digital Kitchener Innovation Lab- a place where creative thinking and tech came together to solve local problems. Funding for the lab came from savings generated by the City’s smart streetlight project. The lab was created to support work that needed more time, creativity, or technical skills than regular day-to-day work allows. It also provided opportunities for co-op students, allowing them to gain hands-on experience by working on real projects that support the community. The lab focuses on three main areas: design thinking, testing new technology, and building quick prototypes. These tools help the City try out ideas before making larger investments.
Being located inside the Communitech Hub fosters collaboration and partnership opportunities between the City and Communitech, with local startups and companies to create real-world solutions.
Today, the lab is fully up and running. It gives the City space to move faster on tough problems and explore new tools. It’s a key part of how Kitchener is building smarter, more helpful services for everyone.
How it helps residents
- Helps the City test new ideas faster, so services can improve more quickly
- Reduces the risk and cost of trying new tools by testing them before full use
- Supports local jobs and innovation by working with startups and tech companies