HIGHLANDS and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched a £120,000 Tourism, Heritage and Technology Challenge Fund in partnership with Aim-Hi and Fusion at Tulloch Castle Hotel in Dingwall.
Hosted by author and broadcaster Muriel Gray the official launch of the challenge fund featured a dynamic programme of nationally renowned speakers including pioneering industry players from the technology, creative content, heritage and tourism sectors.
The Challenge Fund has been created to encourage innovative and collaborative working across the Highlands and Islands using technology to link tourism and heritage. Individuals and businesses are being invited to submit creative ideas using technology to connect tourism visitors with the region's outstanding natural heritage.
Up to £120,000 of development funding is up for grabs for groundbreaking ideas in three categories with the winning proposal in each category receiving a maximum award of £40,000.
As part of the Challenge Fund prize, HIE plans to take representatives from the successful teams to the Media Lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston. This will give the candidate exceptional networking opportunities and the chance to observe revolutionary developments using leading edge technology.
Heritage manager for HIE Bill Taylor, who spoke at the launch, said:
"I'm very excited about the Challenge Fund and the fantastic opportunities it will afford the winning candidates. Much of the support on offer through the period of the fund will be delivered through the new Distance Lab, which is being developed as a unique world-class research institute. Part of their work will be to marry up information and communications technology and digital media with tourism and heritage in the Highlands and Islands."
Entries will be judged on innovation, evidence of strong cross-sectoral collaboration and meeting marketing needs.
Anyone interested can find out more and register interest online at www.hie.co.uk/tht-challenge . The closing date for expressions of interest is December 18, 2006 and final entries should be in by January 31, 2007. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed on February 12 or 13, 2007. Entries will be judged by HIE, Aim-Hi and Distance Lab staff. Winners will be announced on February 16, 2007
Heritage North