In addition to research and development funding, Tekes is strengthening services that help growth companies succeed in export markets and develop their innovation capabilities. Tekes' research and development funding will remain largely unchanged. Tekes' new funding services will allow companies to map international markets and receive feedback from customers, develop management, and improve the commercialization of research and development results and the systematic development of innovation work. At the same time, Tekes' websites and application service will become better suited to serving companies of different sizes.

Changes to Tekes' funding services in brief

Special funding services for startups and SMEs to plan international growth

Tempo funding service for startups
The name of the International Growth Planning funding for startups will change to the Tempo funding service. The aim of the funding is to help startups under 5 years old grow rapidly in export markets. With Tempo financing, a company can, for example, test the functionality of its business concept and obtain feedback from potential customers. The reform has taken into account invention-based startups more flexibly. For example, companies can agilely determine the viability of invention-based, early-stage projects by making prototypes and mapping the market.

Kiito financing service for small and medium-sized enterprises and mid-cap companies
The International Growth Planning financing intended for SMEs will be transformed into the Kiito financing service. The aim of the financing is to inspire SMEs to renew their business and grow in export markets. For example, a company can develop its growth strategy and improve its capabilities in export markets by analyzing markets and customer needs. In addition, financing allows companies to reform their management and organizational practices to better respond to the changes required by internationalization.

Developing innovations as a systematic part of business operations

Many small and medium-sized companies would benefit from the systematic development of innovation activities. To this end, Tekes is introducing Into financing to its range of financing services, which allows small and medium-sized companies to purchase the best possible expertise to develop their innovation activities. The financing can also be used to hire a top expert for a fixed term from a large company or research organization.

Research and development financing tailored to midcap companies

A new aspect of research and development financing is research and development financing aimed at midcap companies. Midcap companies are large companies with a turnover of up to EUR 300 million. Midcap companies can receive Tekes R&D funding at the same funding rates as large companies, but midcap companies are not required to network as closely with SMEs and research organisations. The aim is to promote the international growth of promising "small and large" Finnish companies and the resulting exports.

Read more about the financing services offered by Tekes on the Tekes website .