About Us
Results and impact
Results and impact of Business Finland. Read about how we help to boost Finnish R&D and innovations.
What we measure
The results of Business Finland's operations are measured with the help of various reports and indicators.
Innovation activity
Research, development and innovation activities are important for the national economy and people’s wellbeing. The effects of innovation activity spread widely across the economy and society, increasing wealth and boosting employment and the vitality of the regions.
Numerous international and Finnish studies show that public R&D funding for businesses increases their own R&D investments. Research findings show that R&D investments substantially improve companies’ know-how and networking, resulting in more patents and new products, processes and services. This know-how and new ways of working are reflected in the growth of business turnover, productivity and employment.
Business Finland’s funding encourages companies to increase their R&D activities. The results of our funding and expert services are visible in companies as new knowledge and innovations. The effects spread widely through networking and innovative businesses, generating higher productivity and economic growth. Ultimately, the impacts of our funding for innovation activity are reflected in the wellbeing of citizens and the environment.
Results and impact 2024 (pdf)
Results and impact 2023 (pdf)
Results and impact 2022 (pdf)
Results and Impact 2021 (pdf)
Results and Impact 2020 (pdf)
Innovation funding with proven impact (pdf)
Results and Impact 2018 (pdf)
Funding information
Every year, Business Finland finances business research and development projects, and public research projects at universities, research institutes and universities of applied sciences.
Every year, Business Finland finances business research and development projects, and public research projects at universities, research institutes and universities of applied sciences.
Innovation research
The aim of Business Finland's innovation research is to find solutions to the challenges of the Finnish economy and society. In addition, the aim is to promote cooperation between different stakeholders, such as the dialogue between policymakers and researchers. The latest project results (Policy Briefs) can be found on the innovation research page.
The aim of Business Finland's innovation research is to find solutions to the challenges of the Finnish economy and society. In addition, the aim is to promote cooperation between different stakeholders, such as the dialogue between policymakers and researchers. The latest project results (Policy Briefs) can be found on the innovation research page.
Performance management
The planning and monitoring materials of Business Finland and its constituent companies Finpro and Tekes can be found on the results management page. You can search for publications by keyword using our internal search.
The planning and monitoring materials of Business Finland and its constituent companies Finpro and Tekes can be found on the results management page. You can search for publications by keyword using our internal search.
Foreign Direct Investment in Finland
Invest in Finland operates as part of Business Finland, helping foreign companies to find business opportunities in Finland. It produces information about Finland as an investment destination, develops and coordinates the national FDI work, networking actively with regional and international actors. In addition, Invest in Finland compiles and maintains information about foreign-owned companies in Finland.
Earlier results:
New FDI to Finland 2022 (.pdf)
New FDI to Finland 2021 (.pdf)
New FDI to Finland 2020 (.pdf)
New FDI to Finland 2019 (.pdf)
New FDI to Finland 2018 (pdf)
Overnight stays by foreign tourists in Finland
Visit Finland, the national expert organisation for the tourism sector, operates as part of Business Finland, and is responsible for promoting foreign tourism to Finland. Visit Finland supports companies and groups of companies in the sector to develop and market tourism services aimed at the international markets. The deemed exports generated by foreign tourism to Finland amounted to approximately €3.9 billion in 2016.
The latest tourism statistics and information on the impact of tourism are available from the statistics service Rudolf (in Finnish).
Evaluations and impact analysis
According to many comparative international studies, Finland’s innovation environment is one of the best in the world. These studies highlight Finland’s many strengths: its open and effective interaction between companies and research organisations, high number of skilled R&D personnel, impressive volume of R&D investments, excellent education system, and wide-ranging innovation activity.
Business Finland monitors and evaluates the results and impacts of the funded projects over their entire life cycle. We use these impact evaluations to develop our operations and to direct our funding and activities.
We also follow comparative international studies and surveys, such as the studies commissioned by the OECD, the EU and various organisations, and we also conduct our own peer reviews about innovation activities in different countries.
Impact studies
- Explorers of Export – Evaluation of Business Finland funding services for Export Promotion for Company Groups
- Mid-term evaluation of Business Finland's RRP
- Mid-term evaluation of the Leading Company Initiative partnership, Final Report
- Impact Study of Economic Growth: Startups, Scaleups and Funding for Internationalization Planning, Report 1/2024
- Impact Study of Competitiveness – RDI Collaboration and Capabilities
- Impact Study of Competitiveness 1/2023
- Evaluation of Business Finland's Ecosystem Financing Instruments and Partnership Model
- Summary: Evaluation of Business Finland's Ecosystem Financing Instruments and Partnership Model
- Impact study: Superpower in Sustainable Development – From Ambition to Action
- Business Finland and Sustainable Growth Programme for Finland – Design Evaluation
- Impact Study of Economic Growth: Global networks and fast growth companies, Final Report 1/2022
- World-class Ecosystems in the Finnish Economy
- Global Growth for Companies 4/2020
- Evaluation of Tekes R&D funding for the European Commission 3/2020
- Evaluation of International R&D Collaboration Advice and Funding Provided by Business Finland
- International R&D Collaboration advice and funding 1/2022
- World Class Ecosystems Report 2020
- Mid-term review of the production incentive for the audiovisual industry
- Business Angel Investment, Public Innovation Funding and Firm Growth
- The Big Three – Impact Study of Research Organisations, Large Enterprises and SHOKs
- World Class Ecosystems and Competitive Business Environment
- Efforts of Finnvera, Finpro, and Tekes in Promoting Internationally oriented SMEs
- Startups, accelerators and role of Tekes
- Evaluation of precommercialisation activities of Tekes
- Door Anticipator, Locator and Opener, but Only for Those Who Know about It – Evaluation of the Market Opportunities Services
Program evaluation reports
- Shaping Finland’s Digital Future – Evaluation of AI Business, Digital Trust and Experience Commerce programs of Business Finland
- Programs driving the Sustainable Future – Evaluation of Bio and Circular Finland, Sustainable Manufacturing, and Smart Energy programs of Business Finland
- Taking the Road, Up to the Skies – Evaluation of Smart Mobility and Batteries, and New Space Economy programs of Business Finland
- Evaluation of Business Finland contribution to Health and Wellbeing
- Business Finland Advancing Cleantech and Bioeconomy – Evaluation of three innovation and six export promotion programs
- Business Finland Programs Advancing Digitalization – Evaluation of a continuum of 13 programs in 15 years
- Evaluation of Programs for Customer Experience, Creative Industries and Human-Centric Business
- Evaluation of Food Export programs
- Development Evaluation of Business with Impact (Beam) Programme, Final Report
- Evaluation of Programmes Contributing to Health and Wellbeing
- Evaluation of Programmes Changing Practices for Innovation
- Evaluation of Programmes for Education and Gaming
- Innovation for sustainable growth, Evaluation of the results and impacts of selected Tekes cleantech programmes
- Forerunning innovation support in the field of non-technological innovation – Evaluation of Non-technological Programmes
- Reaping Benefits of EU Framework Programmes – Evaluation of Tekes' Safety and Security and Fuel Cell Programmes
- Towards material excellence – Evaluation of Tekes' programmes on materials
- Striving towards a vibrant ecosystem – Evaluation of Tekes' Combio, BioIT and Trial programmes