News 02.01.2025

Changes to the Market Explorer funding criteria

Changes have been made to the criteria of the Market Explorer funding from the beginning of 2025. Call for the funding service has been closed since December 15, 2024, and will reopen on January 7, 2025.

The funding criteria of Market Explorer were revised at the turn of the year. The funding service is intended for over 5 years old SME and midcap companies seeking new export markets for their products, services or business models that are at least in the development or pilot stage. The funding can be used to buy new information and expertise to help your company make progress in a new export market or customer segment.

The maximum grant amount has been reduced, with tightening of criteria and eligible costs

The Market Explorer criteria have been revised from the beginning of 2025 as follows:

The most significant change for 2025 is that the maximum grant amount per project will be reduced from EUR 40,000 to EUR 20,000 and the maximum amount of eligible costs will be reduced from EUR 80,000 to EUR 40,000.
In the future, funding can only be granted for purchased expert services. Other costs will also be accepted up to the amount of 20 per cent of the amount of purchased services. Purchases from other companies in the same group and associated companies are generally not considered acceptable costs.
Company's credit rating (Rating Alfa) according to Suomen Asiakastieto has to be at least A and the company must have financial prerequisites for international growth.
The costs of test marketing and product development are no longer eligible in Market Explorer projects.

The changes do not apply to pending applications submitted in 2024 before the call was closed.