Financing
There are many different funds and opportunities available. You can review the options below, or get in touch and we will help you identify suitable financing solutions together.
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The start-up grant is discretionary support for a new entrepreneur. Its purpose is to secure an entrepreneur’s livelihood at the starting phase of new full-time entrepreneurship when the income generated by the company is still low.
The start-up grant is granted for six months from the time you start as a full-time entrepreneur or expand your part-time business to full time. You may receive an extension to the start-up grant so that the total duration is no more than 12 months.
The start-up grant is equal in amount to the basic component of the earnings-related daily allowance. The start-up grant is paid for five days per calendar week.
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Economic Development Centres (Elinvoimakeskukset) provide funding for projects that promote the growth, renewal, and internationalisation of SMEs through business development grants.
A business development grant may be awarded to projects that are expected to have a significant impact on a company’s growth or renewal, internationalisation, innovation activities, strengthening of expertise, productivity, digital business, or adaptation to climate change, as well as the promotion of carbon neutrality or energy and material efficiency.
Business development grants are primarily awarded to SMEs that employ fewer than 250 people and have a turnover of no more than 50 million € or a balance sheet total of no more than 43 million €, and where no more than 25 % of the company is owned by a large enterprise.
Read more (in Finnish)
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Business Finland offers companies a wide range of financing options for different purposes, such as research, product development, and various business development needs, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Large companies and research organisations can receive funding for joint projects with SMEs.
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Guarantees
Finnvera primarily ensures the availability of financing for companies by guaranteeing loans and guarantees granted by other financiers. Your company can use the guarantees we provide as collateral for loans and other commitments obtained from banks or other financiers.
Loans
Finnvera’s primary financing instrument is a guarantee, but companies can also apply for a loan directly from Finnvera. Loans are granted only as part of an agreed overall financing package, so you should always discuss your financing project with your bank first.
Export credit guarantees
Export financing arrangements are an essential part of export transactions and the competitiveness of exports. Your company must have equal opportunities to compete on the international market. Finnvera offers export credit guarantees against credit losses and for financing export transactions.
Export credit guarantees | finnvera.fi
Loans for green transition and digitalisation
The world around us is changing, and it is important to keep up with these developments. With our new loans, you can accelerate your company’s investments towards a greener and more digital future.
Loans for green transition and digitalisation | finnvera.fi
Export and ship credits and interest equalisation
Export credit financing facilitates the arrangement of financing for foreign clients who purchase Finnish capital goods. Finnvera’s subsidiary, Finnish Export Credit Ltd (FEC), offers together with Finnvera export enterprises internationally competitive export financing services.
Export financing services | finnvera.fi
Export trade financing workshop for SMEs’ key persons
In the export financing workshop, key personnel in your company are introduced to financing solutions used in export trade and ways to protect against risks.
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Team Finland network helps your company go global. The network aims to offer companies a smooth service path from advisory services to financing.
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A Finnish operator can apply for business partnership support for commercially viable business activities that generate positive development impacts in developing countries.
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EU’s Horizon Europe program will finance research and innovation with a budget of 95 billion between 2021-2027.
The program funds technological developments, innovation scaling and international growth as well as cutting-edge research, training and international mobility of researchers. For example, companies, universities, research institutes and public and third sector actors can apply funding from the program.
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Business Kuopio collaborates with business angel networks and various funds, such as FiBAN and the North Savo Startup Fund, which is managed by Nostetta Ventures Ltd.
Business angels are private individuals who invest their personal assets in high-growth potential companies. In return for their investment, angel investors usually receive shares in the target company. In addition to capital, the value of an angel investment includes the investor’s expertise and networks.
Read more
- FiBAN Finnish Business Angels Network | fiban.org
- North Savo Startup Fund | nostettaventures.com
- Helpful materials | fiban.org
Venture capital investing refers to making investments in non-listed companies that have strong growth potential. Venture capital investors typically invest through funds they manage.
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Investor search
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There are several open online sources related to financing.
From the Aurora database, you can search for funding opportunities in Finnish science and the arts. The database includes funding opportunities from over 400 funders, and new information is continuously updated.
The Crunchbase database provides global information on investors, funding rounds, and startup companies.
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