R&D funding for companies in Finland
Research and product development is the best-funded activity a Finnish company can do. Business Finland carries the core instruments, the regional Elinvoimakeskus network supports development projects, EU programmes reach further, and a combined tax deduction rewards R&D spending even without a project application. Below is every R&D-relevant option we track, live from our funding database.
Grants
Audiovisual production incentive25% cash rebate on Finnish production costsA cash rebate on Finnish production spend for film, TV and animation.Business development aid (development measures)min grant €10,000The standard regional grant for SME development projects, now handled by the Elinvoimakeskus (formerly the ELY centre).Deep Tech Acceleratorphased fundingFor research-based deep-tech startups under five years old, founded to commercialise recent scientific research.EIC Acceleratorgrant ≤€2.5M + equity €1–10MThe EU's deep-tech scale-up instrument, combining a grant with an equity option.Eurostarsavg project €1.4–1.5MAn EU R&D grant for SME-led international consortia.Just Transition Fund aidfollows regional ratesEU funding for diversification and green-transition projects in Finland's peat-transition regions.R&D grantproject-based (€100k – millions)The main national R&D grant.Rural development supportcosts €5k–100k (aid €2.5k–50k)Covers half the cost of expert services for rural companies.Sprint grantup to €100,000Business Finland's entry-level R&D grant for small companies with an innovation aimed at international markets.Loans
Capital loan (pääomalaina)case-by-caseA subordinated capital loan under the Finnish Companies Act that strengthens the balance sheet: it counts as equity in the equity-ratio assessment, which…Convertible loantypically €100k–3MA loan that converts into shares at your next financing round, usually at a discount.Digitalisation & Innovation Loan€150k–2M per projectAn unsecured development loan for cases the bank has turned down.EIB/EIF-intermediated loansvia your bank, typically €25k–12.5MEU-supported loan programmes delivered through Finnish banks.Growth Loanfrom €500k (projects > €1.5M)Subordinated (mezzanine) finance for larger growth, internationalisation or ownership projects, sitting between bank debt and equity.R&D loanup to 50–70% of project costsA development loan on softer terms than a bank offers, and it can be partly written off if the project fails.Venture debttypically €0.5–5MExtends runway between equity rounds without immediate dilution.Guarantees
SME Guarantee€10k–200k per guarantee (€300k ceiling)A collateral-free guarantee on bank loans for established, financially sound SMEs, covering working capital and investments.Equity
Angel investment€20k–500kOften the first external equity, with hands-on help from experienced entrepreneurs.Equity crowdfundingtypically €100k–2MRaises growth capital from the public while building a customer and fan base.SAFE-style notetypically €50k–1MA convertible without the debt: the investor pays now and receives shares at the next priced round, with no interest and no maturity date.Tesi growth equityventure €2–10M · growth €10–50M · industrial €50–200MThe state's minority equity co-investor for scaling companies, always investing on market terms alongside private investors.Venture capitalrounds typically €0.5–10MEquity for high-growth companies targeting international markets.Tax incentives
R&D combined tax deductionextra deductions up to €1M/yrAn extra tax deduction on R&D wages and bought-in R&D services.How to choose
Grant or loan — usually both. Business Finland’s R&D funding typically starts as a grant for smaller projects (Sprint for small companies) and shifts toward loans as projects grow. Many companies combine a grant-funded pilot with a loan-funded development phase.
EU money is for the ambitious. Eurostars suits R&D-heavy SMEs with international partners; the EIC Accelerator funds breakthrough innovations with a grant-plus-equity combination. Applications are heavier, but the amounts are on another level.
Don’t forget the tax route. The combined R&D tax deduction rewards development spending through taxation — no application project required. Check how it interacts with direct support for the same costs before counting on both.
Frequently asked questions
How much of R&D project costs can be covered?
Typically 40–75% depending on the instrument and company size — for example Sprint covers 75% of costs for small companies, and larger R&D grants run 40–60%. Each option page shows its current rate.
Should I apply for a grant or an R&D loan?
Grants fit research and piloting where the outcome is uncertain; loans fit development close to market. Business Finland often steers a project toward one or the other — the practical answer comes from the project plan.
Is there R&D support without a project application?
Yes — the combined R&D tax deduction rewards qualifying research and development spending directly in taxation.
Not sure where you fit?
Run our funding tool to screen your situation in a few minutes — or send us a note. Screening is what we do.
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