Finland continues to stand out as one of the most startup-friendly countries in the world. From early-stage testing to full-scale international expansion, the Finnish government, especially through Business Finland, offers generous grants designed to support innovation, growth, and global ambitions.

If you're planning to launch or scale a business in Finland in 2025, tapping into these funding opportunities can make a real difference.

In this article, we’ll walk you through five government grants that can help fund your business journey, from building your team to breaking into new markets.

Tempo Funding

If you’re in the early stages of building your startup and want to test your idea in international markets, Tempo Funding might be the perfect starting point.

Offered by Business Finland, this grant helps small, innovative companies explore global potential before making big commitments.

What It Offers:

• Up to €60,000 in funding
• Covers up to 75% of total project costs
• Designed for early-phase companies (typically under 5 years old)
• Focused on testing product-market fit outside Finland

Who Can Apply:

• Finnish startups with limited international revenue
• Companies aiming to validate their product in foreign markets
• Businesses that already have a team of at least two people

What You Need to Know:

• You must create a written plan for how you’ll test the market
• The funding doesn’t require equity as it’s non-dilutive
• You’ll need to show long-term global growth potential

Tempo is the ideal grant if you're just getting started but have global ambitions. It's one of the most founder-friendly grants in Finland to kick off your journey.

Young Innovative Company (YIC)

Once your startup has shown some traction and is ready to scale, the Young Innovative Company (YIC) funding from Business Finland could be your next big step.

This grant is designed for startups with growth potential and a clear plan to expand globally.

What It Offers:

• Up to €1.25 million in funding
• It’s divided into three stages:
  
  • Business development grant (max €250,000)
  • R&D loan (up to €750,000)
  • Growth funding grant (up to €250,000)
  • A mix of non-dilutive funding and low-interest loans

Who Can Apply:

• Startups less than 5 years old
• Must be Finnish-owned and registered
• Should show a scalable business model and global market potential
• At least 3 full-time team members

What You Need to Know:

• The first phase must be completed before moving to the next
• Your startup must meet Business Finland’s innovation criteria
• You’ll need a strong financial foundation and growth plan

YIC is perfect for startups that have moved past the MVP stage and are ready to expand fast. If you're building something ambitious, this grant could fuel your growth without giving up equity.

Deep Tech Accelerator (DTA)

If your startup is built on scientific breakthroughs or advanced engineering, Business Finland’s Deep Tech Accelerator (DTA) is worth exploring. It’s specially designed for startups pushing the boundaries of research and innovation.

What It Offers:

• Funding for research-intensive companies with long development cycles
• Two-part support:
  
  • Tempo funding for early-stage validation
  • R&D funding to help you build and test your tech
• Personalized coaching and networking support
• Connects you with investors, partners, and deep tech mentors

Who Can Apply:

• Early-stage Finnish deep tech startups
• Companies spinning out from universities or research labs
• Startups with high-risk, high-potential ideas
• Must have an innovative solution backed by science or engineering

What You Need to Know:

• The goal is to help you move from idea to investor-ready stage
• You don’t need to have revenue yet, but strong tech validation helps
• Applications are reviewed based on both technical merit and business potential

This government grant is ideal for founders who are working on bold, science-backed ideas, whether it’s advanced materials, life sciences, robotics, or something entirely new.

Explorer Funding

Thinking about entering a new international market? Explorer Funding from Business Finland is made just for that. It’s a small but powerful grant to help Finnish companies do their homework before going global.

What It Offers:

• A grant of up to €10,000–50,000
• Covers 50% of eligible costs related to market research
• Supports projects like:
  
  • Hiring a local consultant or expert
  • Visiting the market to meet partners or customers
  • Doing a feasibility study before launching abroad

Who Can Apply:

• Finnish SMEs and startups
• Companies planning to enter a new country or region
• You don’t need previous international experience

What You Need to Know:

• Simple and fast application process
• The project must be well-scoped and time-limited
• You’ll need to clearly explain:
  
  • What country you’re exploring
  • Why now is the right time
  • What kind of help or insights you’re looking for

Explorer is an ideal first step if you’re unsure about a new market and want to test the waters before diving in.

Talent Funding

Hiring the right people can make or break your startup. With Talent Funding, Business Finland helps innovative companies strengthen their team with the expertise they need to grow.

What It Offers:

• Covers up to 50% of salary and related costs
• For hiring new key personnel like:
  
  • Business development leads
  • Product managers
  • Internationalization experts
  • Funding amount depends on the size and scope of the role, typically around €20,000–50,000

Who Can Apply:

• SMEs and startups operating in Finland
• Companies with a strong innovation base and growth potential
• You must show how the new hire helps your business development or global expansion

What You Need to Know:

• The role must be strategic, not just any hire
• Great for startups preparing for scaling or internationalization
• You’ll need to describe:
  
  • The job responsibilities
  • Why is this role critical
  • How does it link to your growth strategy

If you're ready to grow but missing the right talent, this grant can help you bring them on board faster.

Final Thoughts

Working your way as a Finnish startup is exciting, but funding it can be challenging. Fortunately, government grants like Tempo, YIC, and Talent Funding are designed to support bold ideas and growing teams. Whether you're looking to expand globally, hire strategically, or accelerate innovation, there’s likely a grant that fits your needs.

If you have plans of eventually expanding your business to the US, you’ll want to register in a US state and open a US-based business account with Adro. It’s fast, secure, and built for modern founders like you.