Funding policy for the Innovation Voucher will be renewed – Your company can choose its preferred domestic or foreign service provider

The Innovation Voucher is intended for SMEs with a new product or service idea that has potential to grow internationally, and that cannot be implemented without external expertise.

The Innovation voucher provides an opportunity to buy expert services that bring new information and expertise required for innovation to your company. As a result of the reform, the funding of the innovation voucher will be paid directly to the applicant company, not to the service provider.

The reform will enter into force on January 1, 2022. Due to necessary system changes, applications can be submitted starting from January 17, 2022.

With the disposal of the self-financing share, the value of the innovation voucher will rise to EUR 5000

In innovation voucher funding, amount of the grant is EUR 5 000, which is 100% of the amount of the purchased services excluding VAT. The aid is transferred to the beneficiary after the beneficiary has approved and paid for the work performed by the chosen service provider.

As a result of the reform, the innovation voucher will have a similar funding scheme to other funding services. This will make it easier for customers to use de minimis and R&D funding as they progress.

Your company can choose its preferred domestic or foreign service provider

As a result of the change in the funding scheme, Business Finland will be able to dispense with the financial eligibility check of service providers, allowing companies to choose the service provider that best meets their needs, whether domestic or foreign.
The change will further speed up the processing of applications and make it easier for new service providers to offer their services to companies undertaking innovation activities.

Read more about the innovation voucher