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Look for growth opportunities in international markets together with other companies

Group Explorer funding is aimed at groups of 4–10 SMEs and midcap companies to explore significant joint business opportunities in international markets.

NOTE! The application for Group Explorer will close on October 17, 2024, at 23:59. Once the application closes, it will not be possible to open new applications or to submit incomplete applications that were created before the closure in the online service. The closure of the application is due to changes in Business Finland's funding services in 2025.

After the application is closed, the funding service Group Explorer is no longer included in Business Finland's funding selection. 
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Explorer Funding

The Group Explorer funding service is aimed at groups of enterprises to explore joint business opportunities in the international market.

We grant funding for groups of 4–10 enterprises eligible for support which possess either a joint range of products/and or services with significant growth potential or a strong desire to explore an identified business opportunity together. The group of enterprises must include a minimum of four mutually independent enterprises. The group of enterprises can include enterprises belonging to the same group of companies, as long as the aforementioned condition is fulfilled.

What is required of your company?
  • The company is an SME or midcap company registered in Finland with a genuine desire to grow and internationalize and to cooperate with the group’s companies in the project.
  • Its own range of products or services.
  • A minimum credit rating of A (Rating Alfa) and access to adequate self-financing for the project's implementation.
  • A dedicated team in which at least two people work full-time in Finland.

Group Explorer funding is aid provided under the de minimis rule and does not need to be repaid. The proportion of the aid is 50% of approved costs. The amount of the funding is a minimum of EUR 2,500 and a maximum of EUR 20,000 per enterprise.

  • SME: less than 250 employees, maximum net sales of EUR 50 million or a balance sheet total of no more than EUR 43 million.
  • Midcap enterprise: group-level net sales less than EUR 300 million.
What is required of the group of enterprises?
  • 4–10 enterprises eligible for support
  • A common interest or clear joint impact (synergy) in the identified target market, which has not previously been explored together
  • A joint external project manager
  • A joint project plan. The professional services to be carried out in the project must be shared by the group of enterprises

The recommended maximum duration of a Group Explorer project is a year.

In addition to funding, Business Finland can provide help in finding suitable service providers in the target markets and in Finland. You can find people with expertise in international markets through the Expert Search service.

See instructions for applying for funding

How does Business Finland funding work?

1
Before you apply

Plan a project and define its goals. Ensure the sufficiency of self-financing.

2
Apply for funding

Submit your application through online services. Submit the additional information requested.

3
Approve the funding decision

Business Finland will assess your application and notify you of its decision. Read the decision and its terms and conditions, and approve the decision in online services.

4
Use the funding

Arrange project accounting. Notify Business Finland of any changes.

5
Report your project

Report your project's implementation and costs. Attach the additional information requested with your report.