Innovation takes flight with BMO Destination Digital™

Founded in 2022, BMO Destination Digital invites disruptors and visionary thinkers across BMO functions and experience levels to craft creative solutions to current business challenges – all in less than 30 hours.  

Focusing on rapid ideation and development over a short period of time, an innovation sprint provides the opportunity for teams to explore uncharted territory, think outside the box and develop creative solutions that may not be possible in their day-to-day roles. Among other things, participants: 

• Experimented with existing and emerging technologies, like AI 

• Held collaborative discussions 

• Engaged with a network of subject matter experts, mentors and tech partners 

• Built prototypes 

• Developed a short presentation for judging panels comprised of BMO colleagues and leaders 

While the event ends in an award ceremony for top solutions, the real winner is clear: BMO’s clients, who benefit from the solutions shaping BMO’s future.  

Select solutions from the first two years allow BMO to operate with more efficiency – including a pilot project optimizing BMO Place occupancy and the development of a Translation AI to address Canada’s Bill 96 compliance.  

As challenges evolve, the programs level up to offer solutions.  

This year, BMO Destination Digital narrowed its scope by business area, allowing for granular solutions to specific problems.  

BMO Destination Digital: HackWave challenged Technology and Operations (T&O) employees in BMO Commercial Bank. The top solution — designed to automate and enhance the client signature process — received not only accolades, but funding to implement the idea.    

BMO Destination Digital: Accelr8 followed its namesake, expediting the innovation sprint experience. In just one afternoon, employees in T&O and BMO Commercial Bank delivered 38 solutions, which are in development and will be implemented in the coming months. 

The upcoming BMO Destination Digital: B2C will focus on BMO’s personal banking and small business clients, empowering employees from any level to pinpoint a challenge they experience and craft the solution.  

The challenges, technologies deployed and scope of BMO Destination Digital will continue to change to meet the needs of our clients and communities. However, one thing stays the same: A good idea can come from anywhere.