Geofy app will help businesses transition to future

JESSE RUBIN, CONTRIBUTOR
Daniel Blair’s app Geofy is set to launch early 2016, following the November release of his app PanoPla. THE PROJECTOR/ Jesse Rubin

Daniel Blair’s app Geofy is set to launch early 2016, following the November release of his app PanoPla. THE PROJECTOR/ Jesse Rubin

Daniel Blair is making a game of life.

“You’ll notice a game-ified theme with me,” said Blair. “I was a student. I spent a lot of time learning, and anything you can do to make things more interesting is a win.”

Blair, a 25-year-old RRC business and technology grad, is developing Geofy, a phone app set to launch early 2016.

Geofy adds a gaming approach to day-to-day life. The app uses a cell phone’s geolocation to offer location-specific games and content with prizes. That means if you are close to a store who has signed up for Geofy, a notification will be sent to your phone outlining details on promotions or contests that store is offering.

The idea of Geofy first spawned from a conversation between Michael Farris, manager of learning technologies at RRC, and his neighbour who runs Coffee News, a single page Winnipeg weekly.

Guy Dugas, the former chair of the accounting and computer education program at RRC, brought the idea for the app to Blair after hearing about it from Farris.

“[Farris’s neighbour] was telling Michael about the challenges facing print media in the growing mobile market. Michael suggested a mobile gaming extension of Coffee News,” said Dugas.

Blair invented Geofy with these challenges in mind.

As websites and technology become more accessible, Blair said his company, Bit Space Development, is trying to help small businesses transition into a digital era by using game-based ad delivery networks for stores and print news.

“Small businesses are able to run a Roll Up the Rim style promotion without having to invest in the infrastructure,” said Blair.

Blair said he wants Geofy to be successful since it has potential to lessen the impact of paper advertising and promotions on the environment.

Blair’s first game-based app, PanoPla, launched November 18, but Geofy is already gaining some serious attention.

Geofy won four awards at Ramp Up Weekend 8, a startup business conference, including best branding and best prototype. Geofy’s recognition at the technology event convinced Farris the app is not only a viable idea but also one with considerable market potential.