KANETIX Partnered with Ryerson University’s Digital Media Zone

Toronto, ON (PRWEB) May 30, 2013

A group of fourth-year university students from Ryerson’s Digital Media Zone has recently completed a project for KANETIX, Canada’s largest online insurance and financial services comparison website.

Committed to driving innovation in online financial services, KANETIX approached the Digital Media Zone (DMZ) to explore a partnership that would allow the company to tap into some of the cutting-edge work taking place inside the zone.

“We’re constantly exploring new ways to challenge the status quo when it comes to the online experience for financial services in Canada,” said Andrew Lo, CIO, KANETIX. “The Digital Media Zone has an incredible reputation as one of Canada’s top incubators and we saw the opportunity for a partnership as mutually-beneficial.”

The perfect fit was found with the Industry Project Program - managed inside the DMZ by Ryerson Futures (RFI) - which puts together small teams of Ryerson students to work on real projects for real clients with defined goals and deadlines.

Based on KANETIX’s needs, a diverse team of business majors from Ryerson’s Entrepreneurship program and computer science students were brought together for the project.

Over two semesters, the students’ work culminated in a final presentation to key executives at KANETIX. While the nature of the exact work carried out by the student’s remains confidential, by all accounts the presentation was successful and well received.

The project gave a number of fourth-year Ryerson students the opportunity to work with one of Canada’s most forward-thinking web companies. As well, students gained valuable experience by dealing with a real client through regular meetings, and by achieving goals and hitting deadlines.

KANETIX has already been leveraging some of the insights which came out of the project.

About The Digital Media Zone

The Digital Media Zone at Ryerson University (DMZ) is one of Canada’s largest incubators and multi-disciplinary co-working spaces for young entrepreneurs. Set atop Yonge-Dundas Square, and infused with the energy and resources of downtown Toronto, this hub of digital media innovation, collaboration and commercialization is home to both startups and industry solution-providers. The DMZ leads the way in experiential learning and business success by creating a unique ecosystem of education and entrepreneurship. Emerging leaders fast-track their product launches and grow their companies in this supportive community by connecting with mentors, customers and each other. Since opening in April 2010, the DMZ has stimulated Canada’s digital economy by incubating and accelerating 84 startups and launching 134 projects. For more information about the Digital Media Zone, visit http://www.ryerson.ca/dmz.

About Ryerson University

Ryerson University is Canada’s leader in innovative, career-oriented education and a university clearly on the move. With a mission to serve societal need, and a long-standing commitment to engaging its community, Ryerson offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs. Distinctly urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the university is home to more than 38,900 students, including 2,300 master’s and PhD students, nearly 2,700 faculty and staff, and more than 140,000 alumni worldwide. Research at Ryerson is on a trajectory of success and growth; externally funded research has doubled in the past four years. The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada’s leading provider of university-based adult education. For more information, visit http://www.ryerson.ca.

About KANETIX®

Launched in October 1999, KANETIX was Canada’s first online insurance marketplace and today provides over a million quotes per year to consumers looking for insurance, as well as comparisons for mortgage rates and credit cards.

The KANETIX comparison service is a one-stop shopping environment for consumers. Each day, thousands visit the KANETIX website at http://www.KANETIX.ca to comparison shop their various financial needs. Shoppers choose what they want to compare, obtain a quotation and complete an online application or, with the help of KANETIX connect with the provider to purchase or apply for the product over the phone.

Through its Software as a Service team, KANETIX is also the leading provider of online insurance quotation technology, developing online quotation systems, mobile solutions, actuarial tools and websites for many of Canada’s largest insurance brands.

Read the full story at http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/5/prweb10784773.htm