Business Finland's services for startup companies
Is your company developing innovative solutions and planning to scale up in international markets? We offer funding, advice, as well as information and contacts in the target market for the Finnish companies with the most growth potential.
How can we help?
Business Finland supports ambitious startups that are aiming high, solving significant challenges, and are investing substantially in research and development and international business development.
We are focusing on the innovative startups that have Finnish business ID and are committed to global growth. These startups are developing a product or service that addresses significant global needs and challenges. Business Finland is sharing the risk with founders and investors. We are looking for future Finnish success stories from different industries and backgrounds.
Our criteria for the support of a future success story:
- Competitive advantage in international markets based on innovative solution or business model
- Impact on Finland
- Versatile competence and team: just technology is not enough
- Major R&D projects planned or underway
- Sufficient resources and willingness and ability to raise private funding
- Founders and board committed to international growth
We focus strongly on the deeptech startups as well. Deeptech startups have a huge potential to disrupt entire industries.
In addition to the above mentioned criteria, the deeptech startups have:
- Business idea based on the latest scientific or industrial research
- Existing or opportunity to create strong IP based on research that delivers competitive advantage
- Committed founder team with a solid balance of scientific and business talent and a plan for team development
- High technological and market entry risk, but breakthrough in sight
1
Mapping of needs
Business Finland offers startups tailormade support based on their own individual needs.
2
Tailored services
Together, we design a customized service path for each including Business Finland and Team Finland services.
Our services for startup companies
How to become
our customer?
For whom?
Business Finland's expertise and funding services are meant for companies seeking rapid business growth and bold renewal in the international market.
Business Finland's potential customers are companies with
- a Finnish business ID
- enough financial resources for internationalization
- versatile competence and team
- a desire to grow in the international market
- competitive advantage in the international market
If your company meets the criteria above, you can book an appointment with our advisor.
Contact us
Marko Kotonen
marko.kotonen(at)businessfinland.fi
Manufacturing and industrial solutions / digitalization, ICT, Energy and clean tech
Antti Salminen
antti.salminen(at)businessfinland.fi
BtoB services, Consumer/Design, Software, Dual use tech, International accelerators
Jaana Rantanen
jaana.rantanen(at)businessfinland.fi
Deep Tech, Commercialization of science
Tuomas Planman
tuomas.planman(at)businessfinland.fi
Health and Wellbeing, Life Science, Medical Devices, Deep Tech
Olli Sinerma
olli.sinerma(at)businessfinland.fi
Creative Industries and AI
Jukka Lohivuo
jukka.lohivuo(at)businessfinland.fi
Industrial solutions, ICT, Digitalization
Marika Mäkelä
marika.makela(at)businessfinland.fi
International investor connections - Nordics, Central Europe and US
Shi Ting Chen
shiting.chen(at)businessfinland.fi
International investor connections - Asia
Aziz Rahman
aziz.rahman(at)businessfinland.fi
International investor connections - UK, Middle-East
Sari Paavilainen
sari.paavilainen(at)businessfinland.fi
Team Finland & international co-operation
Anne Turula
anne.turula(at)businessfinland.fi
Team Finland co-operation
Company size definitions
Startups
Startups are young, small and medium-sized enterprises seeking rapid international growth. Business Finland's services for startups are generally intended for growth companies that have been operating for less than five years.
SMEs and midcap companies
SMEs are companies with fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of no more than EUR 50 million or a balance sheet total of no more than EUR 43 million. Mid cap companies are large corporations with a turnover of no more than EUR 300 million. See our services for SMEs and midcap companies.