Finland AI
Business Finland
Description
Business Finland provides comprehensive R&D funding and innovation grants for technology companies, research organizations, and international growth initiatives. As Finland's public innovation funding agency, Business Finland supports AI development, deep tech commercialization, and research-based startups across multiple funding programs.
Key programs include the Deep Tech Accelerator (DTA) offering up to €1.2M (3 x €400K phases, 75% grant rate) for research-based startups under 5 years old, Cutting-Edge AI Funding for high-growth companies pursuing ambitious AI R&D projects, and the new Sprint funding for small companies with innovations targeting rapid international growth.
Business Finland is directing activities toward greater impact, focusing on increasing R&D volume and raising ambition levels. The agency supports projects from early research through commercialization, with strong emphasis on international expansion and collaboration with Finnish research institutions.
Eligibility
Deep Tech Accelerator (DTA)
Target Companies:
- Startups under 5 years old at funding decision
- Founded to commercialize research results
- Research-based IP central to value creation
- Product development phase (not market-ready)
- High R&D investment ongoing
- Full-time founding team with tech/business expertise
Funding Structure:
- 3 phases x €400K = €1.2M total potential
- Phases 1-2: Grants (75% funding rate)
- Phase 3: Loan (75% funding rate)
- Each phase: 12-18 months estimated
- Must be small company: <50 employees, <€10M revenue
- 10%+ of costs allocated to R&D in past 3 years
Selection Criteria:
- Strong research-based intellectual property
- Scientific research foundation documented
- Significant international business potential
- Technology functionality preliminarily verified
- Team has credible expertise
- High technical and market-entry risk
- Sufficient self-financing and fundraising plan
Cutting-Edge AI Funding Call
Open: February 2, 2026 - April 15, 2026
- High-growth companies only
- Ambitious R&D projects
- Cutting-edge AI focus
- Strong technical team required
- International growth potential
Sprint Funding (New 2026)
Launching early 2026 as pilot:
- First R&D funding for new startups
- Existing companies with new innovation/pivot
- Rapid international growth potential
- Accelerate growth and strengthen capabilities
- Development, commercialization, follow-on funding focus
Rise to Challenge (Näytönpaikka)
For research organizations:
- Most impactful research initiatives
- Later utilization by companies
- Proven success, continuing in 2026
Research-Business Collaboration
- SME cooperation with research organizations
- Research to Business funding expanded
- Leading Company (Veturi) ecosystems
- 1,000+ R&D projects in ecosystems
DTA Recent Recipients (2025)
- AIATELLA Oy: Deep tech innovation
- Arivin Therapeutics Oy: Bacterial infection therapies (Aalto/Helsinki)
- Audicin Oy: Audio technology
- Flow-Computing Oy: Semiconductor technology
- HyCom Core Oy: Advanced materials
- NPHarvest Oy: Sustainable solutions
Universal Requirements
- Finnish business entity (Oy)
- VAT prepayment and employer registers
- Strong financial planning
- Co-financing capability
- International growth ambition
ZHC-Specific Fit
✅ Excellent for:
- Research-based deep tech startups
- AI and machine learning innovation
- University spin-offs (Aalto, Helsinki, etc.)
- International market entry from Finland
- R&D-intensive technology development
- Academic-industry partnerships
- Nordic/EU expansion strategies
❌ Poor fit if:
- No Finnish entity or operations
- Not research-based technology
- Already 5+ years old (DTA)
- No significant R&D component
- Purely domestic market focus
Application Process
Deep Tech Accelerator Timeline
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Call announcement | Annually | Published on Business Finland website |
| Application preparation | 4-6 weeks | Detailed proposal with research foundation |
| Submit application | By deadline | Via Business Finland portal |
| Evaluation | 6-8 weeks | Technical and business assessment |
| Funding decision | 2-3 weeks | Award notification |
| Phase 1 execution | 12-18 months | First €400K grant phase |
| Phase 1 evaluation | End of phase | Progress review |
| Phase 2 execution | 12-18 months | Second €400K grant phase |
| Phase 2 evaluation | End of phase | Advancement assessment |
| Phase 3 execution | 12-18 months | Final €400K loan phase |
Cutting-Edge AI Funding
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Info webinar | March 3, 2026 | 8:30-9:30 Microsoft Teams |
| Application period | Feb 2 - Apr 15, 2026 | Submit via portal |
| Evaluation | Apr-May 2026 | Technical review |
| Decisions | May-June 2026 | Award notifications |
Sprint Funding (2026 Launch)
| Step | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Call opens | Early 2026 | Pilot program launch |
| Criteria published | At opening | Detailed requirements |
| Application | Rolling | Quick turnaround |
| Decision | 3-4 weeks | Rapid funding process |
Application Requirements
DTA Specific:
- Company background and founding story
- Research basis and IP documentation
- Scientific publications/patents
- Technology readiness level assessment
- Market analysis and competition
- Team composition and expertise
- Financial plan (all phases)
- Funding strategy and investment timeline
- Risk analysis (technical and market)
- Milestones and KPIs per phase
General Requirements:
- Business plan and strategy
- Financial statements (if existing)
- R&D history and percentage
- Market potential documentation
- Co-financing proof
- Team CVs and roles
Funding Rates
- DTA Grants (Phases 1-2): 75% of approved costs
- DTA Loan (Phase 3): 75% of approved costs
- Standard R&D: Varies by program
- Research collaboration: 70-100% for research orgs
- SME innovation: 50-70% typical
2025 DTA Success Stories
Flow-Computing Oy: "Business Finland's DTA funding plays a pivotal role in accelerating our journey from a research institute-based deep tech spin-off to commercial success. It helps us validate our go-to-market approach and engage with the world's leading semiconductor technology companies, while strengthening our readiness for future funding rounds and supporting our strategic expansion into Silicon Valley." - Timo Valtonen, CEO
Arivin Therapeutics Oy: "The DTA program enables us to systematically address competitive landscape, market needs, and regulatory requirements. It significantly strengthens our commercial and regulatory capabilities, essential for accelerating regulatory approvals and securing venture financing for clinical trials." - Christopher Jonkergouw, CEO
Strategic Focus 2026
- Greater R&D impact
- Increased development volume
- Higher ambition projects
- International competitiveness
- Research commercialization
Contact
- Business Finland
- DTA Program Page
- Cutting-Edge AI Funding Call
- Funding E-Service
- Phone: +358 29 50 55000
- Email: info@businessfinland.fi
Program Contacts
- Marjo Ilmari: Director, Business Finland
- Account Managers: Contact via portal for eligibility discussion
Regional Innovation Hubs
- Helsinki: Capital region, Aalto University
- Espoo: Otaniemi tech cluster
- Tampere: Technology and research
- Oulu: Northern tech hub
- Turku: Life sciences and maritime
- Jyväskylä: Digital services
Research Partners
- Aalto University: Technology and business
- University of Helsinki: Research excellence
- VTT Technical Research Centre: Applied research
- Finnish universities: Nationwide collaboration
Resources
- Weekly Newsletter - Sign up for funding opportunities
- Funding Guides
- Success Stories
- Events Calendar