Financing options

Banks

The bank is an important partner in cooperation when the company considers external financing. Banks can offer versatile financing in the form of loans, accounts with credit limits, installments and leasing. The Bank makes a risk assessment on the basis of, among other things, the company's earnings trend, future forecasts and available collateral. Therefore, it is important to be able to present to the bank a carefully made and realistic business plan. The banks cooperate with Finnvera, which is a public organization, which offers various types of credit. You can read about Finnvera below under Public funding.

Venture Capital

Venture capital is a collective concept for investing in a company's equity. Venture capitalists and business angels invest in operations to obtain shares in exchange for their investment. As an entrepreneur, one should be prepared to waive part of their shares. Companies with high growth potential will attract both national and international investments.

Finnish Venture Capital Association
Swedish Private Equity & Venture Capital Association page in which you can find also funding

Business angels are individuals willing to invest in businesses.

Public Funding

Many different public organisations at local and national levels may support businesses. Examples of these organisations include the TE Employment Service Offices and Business Finland. Most often, also funding from the company's own assets is required.

Finnvera, collaborating with banks, is one of the public funders providing a wide range of credits, including loans against a personal guarantee.

www.finnvera.fi  (credits, export financing)
www.tekes.fi  (national programs, seed money)
www.mol.fi  (wage and other subsidies)
www.ely-keskus.fi  (development aid for investment, internationalisation)
www.nopef.com  (interest-free loans that can be converted into subsidies)
www.finnfund.fi  (venture financing, loans etc.)
www.finnpartnership.fi  (internationalisation aid)
www.aktion.fi  (rural development support)
www.yhyres.fi  (rural development support)

Start-up Grant

A start-up grant aims to support starting new businesses and a person's employment. It ensures the entrepreneur's income for the estimated time it takes to establish business activities, with the maximum time being 12 months.

Enterprise Agency Startia will help and guide you every step of the way when starting a business. To apply for the start-up grant, you need to draw up a business plan with Startia's business advisor.

More information on start-up grant