Turning bright ideas into jobs is the goal for a major new IT programme for the Highlands and Islands.

PICT - Producing ICT (Information Communications Technology) businesses is taking innovative information technology ideas and turning them into business ventures.

Speaking at the today's launch (Monday 27th May) at Alness Point Business Park, project director Ken Abraham talked about the successes to date, and the companies and expansions in the pipeline.

He said: "PICT is about taking bright ideas that have been stuck in-house and have gone nowhere. Experience shows that good innovation requires a champion and resources. Many companies develop ideas that don't meet current business needs and they get forgotten or lost.

"PICT wants to capture the best of these ideas, support them and turn them into real companies and top quality jobs.

"We have taken a couple of ideas so far and pulled together the necessary elements to establish successful companies. There are around thirty more potential ICT business concepts under development and we are sure there are hundreds more in the Highlands."

PICT, was established with the support of Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Ross and Cromarty Enterprise (RACE), working with the University of the Highlands and Islands Millennium Institute.

The PICT programme is one part of HIE's vision for the future of the region. HIE chairman, Jim Hunter said: "HIE is working to develop the necessary infrastructure to realise our vision. This includes new offices, broadband services and specialised skills programmes.

"PICT enables us to capture the best and brightest ICT related ideas and exploit them for the development of the region."

The first business set up with the support of PICT was Netmark Management Ltd, an outsourcing company which allows physically disabled people to work from home. They plan to employ 40 people.
Another project which is close to completion is Hinet Ltd which provides companies with an internet based virtual office. This will allow team members to work from different locations and still have access to the same facilities as they would sharing an office.
 
Head of HIE's Knowledge Economy team, Calum Davidson said: "The Highlands and Islands are becoming serious players in the international research and commercialisation field.

"The developing medical cluster in Inverness and the marine bioscience sector in Argyll are now carrying out world class development activities.

"PICT will allow us to identify and develop the very best of rural IT applications and become a leader in this field."

PICT will be based in RACE's hi-tech business park at Alness Point.  Chief executive of RACE, Gordon Cox said: "We expect to see a number of new IT companies develop this year and look forward to working closely with PICT to further develop this sector."