Ready for a growth leap? Sprint supports bold innovations and significant strategic shifts
Business Finland will open a new Sprint Funding Call on 2 March 2026. We’re aiming for ambition, not playing it safe. This pilot call is aimed at small companies with a new innovation and the potential for rapid international growth. The goal of the funding is to help promising companies develop solutions that meet the demands of global competition and accelerate their entry into international markets.
Check out the Sprint call
Sprint call opens – what is it about?
Sprint is a Business Finland funding call designed to accelerate the international growth of small companies. Sprint projects are expected to include both research and development activities as well as market assessment and business planning.
The funding can be used for example to:
- implementation of a prototype or an MVP version and verification of technical feasibility
- pilot with customers and test customer needs
- validate the business idea and market potential
- analyze the market and competitive landscape
- prepare business, R&D and financing plans
In practice, this means that a company can systematically prepare for international growth before making larger R&D investments, verify the technical feasibility of its new solution, sharpen its strategy, and build its competitive advantage.
A courageous redefinition does not happen by accident. It requires market understanding, validation and a clear growth plan. This is exactly what Sprint is designed for.
Sprint is not meant for fine‑tuning. It is intended for developing a new innovation, enabling a bold fundamental business pivot, and preparing for an international breakthrough.
Who is Sprint for?
There are two clear target groups:
1. New innovative startups pursuing international growth
The first target group is early‑stage startups with a scalable business idea based on a new innovative product or service, with international markets in focus from the start.
Sprint helps build a credible foundation for international growth at an early stage.
2. Small companies seeking a significant strategic shift through a new innovation
The second target group is small companies aiming for major renewal based on a new innovation and targeting international growth.
This does not mean a small pivot or adding a new customer segment on top of an old product. It is about redefining the business. The company builds an entirely new growth engine.
Examples from Finnish business history:
Kemppi and Kempower
Known for welding equipment, Kemppi built Kempower alongside its existing business. Kempower focuses on EV charging solutions. This was not just an expansion of a product portfolio but a move into an entirely new, globally scalable market.
Vaisala: from devices to data business
Vaisala is known for its measurement instruments, but the company has systematically built a data business around a platform model. Through acquisitions and service‑based models, it has shifted toward continuous and scalable data revenue, moving away from pure device sales toward long‑term customer relationships.
Aiven: from software consulting to cloud database services
Aiven originated from a company providing software consulting related to open‑source databases. It shifted from consulting to offering a scalable cloud database service for international markets. After several funding rounds, the company has reached unicorn status.
A global comparison can be found in Kodak and Fujifilm. When the digital transformation shook the photography industry, Kodak tried to protect its old film business. Fujifilm instead leveraged its expertise in chemistry and materials technology and built entirely new business areas, including healthcare and cosmetics. Sprint does not support Kodak‑style protection of the old — it supports Fujifilm‑style bold redefinition.
If your company’s goal is to grow and develop its existing business, Business Finland’s standard R&D funding is the right tool. Sprint is not intended for that purpose.
How to get started?
If your company is planning scalable and globally competitive business based on a new innovation, Sprint may be the right tool.
The first step is to register in the My Business Finland service and enter your company’s basic information. You will immediately see which services suit your company right now. After completing the Growth Plan, innovative companies pursuing international growth can discuss their plans and Sprint suitability with a Business Finland advisor.
In the discussion, the company’s situation, goals, and the suitability of the funding are reviewed. Based on the sparring and feedback, the company may proceed to submit a funding application in Business Finland’s funding e‑service.
Sprint is an opportunity both for new startups and for small companies willing to critically evaluate their current business and ambitiously build their next phase of growth.