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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Each member of the group of enterprises submits their own application, appendices included, through the online service. All members in the group of enterprises must submit their application within two weeks of the first enterprise having submitted its application to Business Finland.
The parallel applications of a single project must be given the same identifier. Before the submission of the applications, the group of enterprises must inform Business Finland of the Group Explorer identifier (max 100 characters) it intends to use by sending an email to ydinsovellukset (at) businessfinland.fi.
You can also keep track of the processing of your application in the online service.
Go to the online service
Set goals for your project
Define 2–5 concrete and measurable goals for your project in your application. The goals must be linked to concrete outcomes of the project and the development of your business. The project's goals are recorded in the funding decision, and Business Finland will monitor their achievement. The achievement of the defined goals is a significant factor in deciding whether your company can receive possible further funding from Business Finland.
Examples of project goals:
- The group of enterprises has developed a joint range from its products suitable for the target market.
- An enterprise has investigated its product's potential on the market and is in possession of enough knowledge to initiate export activities.
- An enterprise has identified x potential distributors/x potential customers on the market.
- An enterprise has drawn up a strategy for internationalization/the enterprise has a ready plan for positioning itself in the target market.
- An enterprise has investigated the applicability of its product strategy/business model to the joint range of products and services offered by the group of enterprises.
- An enterprise has gained an understanding of the target market's value network and the model according to which it/the group of enterprises may enter the market.
APPENDIX 1: Joint project plan
Draw up a joint project plan which each enterprise then appends to its own application. An individual enterprise need not append, in addition to this, a separate detailed project plan to the application. Instead, the project's enterprise-specific implementation and content is described on the application form
APPENDIX 2: Information about your company's finances
If your company does not have any audited financial statements yet, please submit, along with your application, an income statement that is no more than two months old, and a balance sheet ledger for the current accounting period.
To make the funding decision, we may ask your company for additional information if necessary.
Eligible costs
Agree on the distribution of the costs of the joint project between the enterprises involved.
Costs are accepted starting from the date on which the application was submitted, at earliest. The funding applied for from Business Finland is 50% of the accepted costs. The project's direct eligible costs include solely external purchased professional services.
Enter only the proportion of the professional services to be purchased by the applicant concerned on the project's cost estimate in the online service. When necessary, you can add a computed item of other costs (equal to a maximum of 20% of the eligible professional services to be purchased), which may be approved for inclusion in the budget. Do not make separate entries on salaries in money or indirect personnel costs in the cost estimate.
Other costs
Other costs include overheads, travel expenses, interpreter and wage expenses, the costs of materials and supplies, facility rentals, equipment purchases, equipment depreciation costs, and equipment rentals. Business Finland approves these costs to the extent of an amount equal to a maximum of 20% of the purchased services. Other costs do not need to be itemized in the application, nor do they need to be included in the project accounting.
Project changes
Discuss any changes beforehand with your contact person at Business Finland. Examples of changes to projects:
- If your entire group wishes to change the project manager or a consultant, the change may be applied for with an application for change in the online service.
- An individual enterprise may drop out of the project should it wish to do so. If at least four enterprises remain, the group of enterprises may continue to implement the Group Explorer project.