Business Finland offers tailored coaching for startups seeking strong international growth
In the future, Business Finland will offer its startup services even more to companies whose innovative solution or business model brings a competitive advantage in the international market.
Our startup team
- helps companies identify new clients and open new markets.
- helps in networking within their own industry as well as in the ecosystem.
- advises and supports companies in developing international networks and opening new distribution channels.
- helps startups in selecting the financial services that are right for them, organized by Business Finland and other public entities.
- presents the most promising companies to international investors.
In the future, Business Finland will offer its startup services even more to companies whose innovative solution or business model brings a competitive advantage in the international market. The product or service must meet a significant global need or challenge, and the company must have significant research and development projects planned or underway.
In addition to the technological solution, Business Finland will also focus on the company's diverse expertise and the team's ability to succeed internationally. The company's founders and board of directors need to be committed to international growth, and the company must have sufficient resources and the will and ability to raise private funding. To benefit Business Finland’s services, the company must have a Finnish business ID.
Changes made to financing services
Business Finland previously reported on changes that also apply to financial services for startups; the main points are listed below.
Tempo funding is for startups under the age of 5 with a new product or service idea.
In Tempo funding, Business Finland places more emphasis on the company's planned research and development, and in addition, the company must have the passion and sufficient financial and human resources to succeed in the international market. Thanks to the changes made, the services are even more targeted to innovative startups with the potential to succeed internationally.
Young Innovative Company (YIC)
YIC funding is for startups under the age of 5 which have high business potential and are ready to scale their business strongly.
The previous loan portion of the YIC funding is converted into a grant. At the same time, the maximum amount of NIY's total funding is changed to one million euros.
Emphasis on the companies’ international potential
Business Finland wants to keep improving its assistance to innovative companies with the potential and will to grow internationally, says Senior Advisor Jaana Rantanen from Business Finland.
The goal of the startup team is to help early stage companies to find the most suitable financing options for them and possible other services. The new team employs 12 experts specializing in startups, Rantanen says.
"We recommend that startups contact our experts at an early stage and at the latest before preparing the funding application", says Senior Advisor Marko Kotonen from Business Finland.
"The aim of our discussions is to help innovative companies clarify the basic ideas of their business and guide them to services suitable for them. By doing so, companies will have better access to the right type of funding. In addition, we often notice other opportunities in either business development or Business Finland's other services in these discussions", Kotonen emphasises.
Startups can contact the experts of the new team directly using the contact information found on Business Finland's website.
More information
Marko Kotonen
marko.kotonen (at) businessfinland.fi
Tel. +358 50 500 4094
Jaana Rantanen
jaana.rantanen (at) businessfinland.fi
Tel. +358 50 396 2923
