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Entain launches Global Innovation Hub, Ennovate

LONDON, Jan. 31, 2022 — (PRNewswire) —  Entain, the leading global sports betting, gaming and interactive entertainment operator, is to launch a global innovation hub, Ennovate, with a first lab to open in London. Ennovate will invest up to £100 million in innovation projects, start-up investments and collaborations with UK, European and global partners, with £40 million specifically earmarked for innovation investment in the UK.

Illustration of the Ennovate Experience Zone opening in London this spring. Source: Entain

Ennovate supports Entain's ambition to be a global leader in interactive entertainment, providing great products and moments of excitement for customers. As media, entertainment and gaming converge, customers expect richer experiences, with greater variety of content, immersive experiences, personalisation, and social interaction which increase their enjoyment and engagement.

First technology companies working with Ennovate include Verizon, BT, and Theta Labs, all looking to develop ground-breaking experiences for customers in gaming and interactive entertainment. Not-for-profit organisations are also collaborating with Ennovate, using technology for innovations which bring societal and environmental benefit. All external partners will collaborate with Entain's own tech team and use the Ennovate Hub to conceive, develop, experiment, and bring their innovations to life.

"We want to lead the way with new, exciting products and experiences for customers and use our cutting-edge technology to pioneer innovations in sport, gaming and interactive entertainment for the metaverse," said Jette Nygaard-Andersen, Chief Executive of Entain.

"We also want to use our position as a global technology leader to help drive innovation more widely. Working with partners around the globe, Ennovate will demonstrate how Entain's industry-leading technology can both revolutionise experiences for consumers and deliver real benefits to society," she added.

Ennovate's first dedicated innovation lab will be located in Charterhouse Square, Farringdon, at the heart of London's entrepreneurial tech community, close to the UK headquarters of TikTok and Snapchat. It will host members of Entain's innovation technology team, working alongside its commercial and not-for-profit partners.

Opening this spring, the location is being fitted out with cutting-edge technology, to create a unique environment for building and trialling new entertainment experiences. These will include developing new entertainment products for the metaverse, a virtual reality space where people will be able to interact in a computer-generated environment.

The centrepiece of this and future Ennovate labs, will be an Experience Zone, enabling customers, investors, partners and employees to try out new immersive experiences in sport, gaming and interactive entertainment.

"Our goal is to bring the most exciting experiences in immersive sport, gaming and interactive entertainment to life as the metaverse takes shape," said Sandeep Tiku, Chief Operating Officer at Entain leading its work on disruptive innovation. "Working with partners we believe we can achieve great things faster, both for customers and to apply these technologies and skills to benefit wider society."

Ennovate will initially showcase:

New consumer products and experiences to lead immersive entertainment

Technology partnerships

Entain is building relationships and partnerships with technology innovators and companies, based in the UK and around the world, through the Ennovate Hub. Initial technology partners include:

Accelerator and Incubator programmes

Not-for-profit and ESG partnerships

Entain wants the cutting-edge technology and innovations in development at the Ennovate Hub to deliver environmental and societal benefit. Not-for-profit partners will have access to technology expertise and working space at Ennovate, plus additional support and funding via Ennovate. Initial partnerships include:

Through  EnTrain, the Group's global D&I technology initiative, the Group will also explore new collaborative opportunities at the Ennovate Hub to improve the representation of women in STEM industries. Existing partners include Girls Who Code, a non-profit organisation that Entain is supporting to bring more young women into the technology industry, and the Tech Girls Movement Foundation, challenging gender perceptions that limit girls' participation in STEM.

Through its not-for-profit Foundation the Group is also working with The Berlin University of Technology and the Nexus Institute to develop international executive training to enhance diversity in research and development and The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), to support graduate placements who will work alongside Entain's U.S.-based Global Innovation Team at the UNLV Harry Reid Research and Technology Park.

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Contact:
Company Name: Entain
Entain plc
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