Press Area / June 07 - Think Up: Advanced ICT solutions from Torino

Innovation, R&D, competitiveness, quality: these are the features of the ICT sector in Piemonte, the most industrialized region in north-western Italy. Think Up is selecting the 100 best-in-class Piedmontese companies in order to connect their advanced technology with the requests of SMEs, corporations, public administrations, universities from all over the world. Participation in international events, trade missions abroad, incoming delegations of international players are some of the actions planned.

The Italian north-western region of Piemonte hosts an important technological ICT district which counts almost 13.000 companies and over 200 research centres, fostering the dynamic growth of innovation. Here new technologies spring out, especially in the fields of security, telecommunications, infomobility, e-health and audiovisuals. In this skilful territory, the 3-year program Think Up (2007-2009) selects 100 excellent Piedmontese companies and offers international buyers a reserved lane to meet them and develop business and cooperation together. The project is promoted by the Torino Chamber of Commerce, with the aegis of the Piemonte Regional Government, the Italian Ministry of Economy and the European Union and is managed by highly experienced technical partners such as Torino Wireless Foundation, CSI-Piemonte (Consortium for Information Systems) and Piemonte Agency for Investments, Export and Tourism.

By the beginning of July, the Think Up Team will provide 100 companiesselected on the basis of strict and objective evaluation parameters: technology, innovation and project development skills, as well as the presence of a structured staff for the management of business relations with foreign partners.

Think Up will also play a leading role in important international events and business meetings based on the match between offer and demand, such as CeBIT (Germany), Gitex (United Arab Emirates), Invex (Czech Republic), Intersec (United Arab Emirates), 3Gsm (Spain), just to name a few.

Furthermore, on the basis of international trends and of the requests of the Piedmontese companies, international purchase managers will be invited to Torino to illustrate their development and supply policies, to meet selected SMEs for the evaluation of possible purchases, to visit Piedmontese enterprises, research centres and universities.

The Information and Communication Technologies are considered to become one of the leading sectors for the Piedmontese economical growth, also thanks to the network of the centre of excellence operating on the territory. About 70% of the ICT companies are located in the surroundings of Torino. The entrepreneurial tissue is mainly made up of SMEs, alongside more structured and bigger companies. About 50% of the firms aresoftware developers, born and grown thanks to the presence of important local manufacturers. The rest of the sector produces hi-tech solutions and products.