Objectives of the call
The goals of the competition are considerable increases in research, development and innovation investments by the companies in Finland, as well as the creation of new jobs and ecosystems for new business operations worth billions of euros.
The projects suggested by the companies participating in the competition must provide solutions to major future challenges, either to missions or significant technological challenges. They must have a significant impact on Finland’s competence, competitiveness and investment in RDI.
Competition categories
- Companies that operate globally and have the capacity to make major additional investments in R&D in Finland and need the support of an ecosystem. The amount of Business Finland’s funding is a maximum of EUR 20 million for a leading company and some EUR 50 million for ecosystem partners.
- Companies that have previously received leading company funding in this competition category can apply to increase the amount of Business Finland funding already granted to their project to EUR 35 million and to increase the ecosystem funding to some EUR 75 million. The granting of additional funding requires that the company commits to further increase its total R&D expenditure in Finland.
- Companies that strive to grow into a global player, solve a more focused challenge together with its ecosystem, develop completely new business openings or strengthen their role in a internationally operating group. The additional R&D investment promises are slightly smaller than in the 1st competition category. Funding for the leading company up to 10 M€ and for its ecosystem some 25 M€.
- Companies that have previously received leading company funding in this competition category can apply to increase the amount of Business Finland funding already granted to their project to EUR 20 million and to increase the ecosystem funding to some EUR 50 million. The granting of additional funding requires that the company commits to further increase its total R&D expenditure in Finland.
The competition is not limited to any specific theme or technology topic. The plan is to use a total of EUR 80 million for this challenge competition. The duration of the projects is 3-5 years. Joint projects between two companies are possible in both competition categories.