In the Rise to Challenge pilot call, we sought the most ambitious and innovative research ideas from research organizations. The theme of the recently concluded pilot call was digital solutions that promote security. A total of 60 research ideas were submitted, out of which 16 project teams were invited to submit funding applications. Decisions have now been made, and five projects will receive funding. The pilot call demonstrated the clear demand for funding radical and impactful research ideas, and therefore Rise to Challenge will continue as a formal funding program in autumn 2025.
Rise to Challenge: Building Future Expertise and Capabilities
The goal of Rise to Challenge funding is to create the expertise and capabilities needed for future growth sectors. In the long term, companies can leverage the results of these projects in their business operations, providing significant competitive advantages for Finnish enterprises.
"The aim is to direct funding toward new, market-disrupting research projects that have widespread societal and economic impacts. Rise to Challenge as a funding instrument is unique – it represents by far the largest research funding available from Business Finland to research organizations," explain Karin Wikman and Virpi Mikkonen, who oversee the funding call.
Rise to Challenge stands apart from other Business Finland research funding instruments in that the research does not have to immediately and directly address the needs of existing companies. Instead, the practical applications may lie further in the future, with a utilization timeframe of 5–10 years. In addition, strong prior achievements are expected from the research groups.
€10 Million in Funding for the First Phase of Research Projects
In the pilot call, a total of €10 million in funding was granted for the first phase of five projects. If the projects achieve the goals set for the first two years, each project may receive an additional €3–5 million for the subsequent three years. The maximum project duration is five years.
The Five Research Projects Funded in the Pilot Call
The pilot attracted highly interesting and high-quality applications. Although the theme was focused on digital resilience, the projects approached the topic from diverse perspectives. The five funded projects, which focus on AI, quantum technology, microchips, modeling, and preparing for hybrid threats, stood out for their bold future-oriented visions and their research teams' deep and versatile expertise. Interdisciplinarity often adds value to these projects, but it is not always the sole priority.
The projects funded from the first Rice to Challenge pilot call are:
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ANSE: AI Native Software Engineering, Tampere University, University of Jyväskylä
The ANSE project is developing a completely new AI-native software engineering methodology. It combines generative AI, process modeling, multimodal interaction, and real-time business monitoring into a single, unified framework.
What makes this research project unique?
The ANSE methodology, optimized for AI, provides a way to view software development as an integrated system where design, implementation, learning, and business impact are all visible within the same framework.
The goal of the ANSE project is to create an AI Native Software Engineering methodology based on a neuro-symbolic system. This system integrates the solution-generating capabilities of generative language models with the structuring, reasoning, and guiding capabilities of symbolic reasoning. A unique aspect of the ANSE methodology is the continuous interaction between machine learning, symbolic reasoning, and the user. This interaction enables not only solution proposals provided by generative AI for software developers but also a symbolic layer that evaluates the suitability of those proposals against defined architectural constraints, test coverage, and business objectives.
"ANSE is the first project in the world to prepare for the emergence of new AI-native systems in software development. Future AI-based systems will be designed from the ground up to function through AI-human collaboration—not as an add-on, but as the foundation for all operations. The software industry is undergoing a significant transformation where adopting individual new tools is no longer sufficient. A new AI-centric development approach is needed, one that scales at both the organizational and ecosystem levels", says professors Pekka Abrahamsson and Tommi Mikkonen.
Why was this research project selected for funding?
The software industry is at a turning point, requiring the disruptive renewal of current processes and practices, which have been optimized for humans, to fully leverage AI capabilities. Secure software development is fundamental to many industries and resilient services. Finland has strong expertise in software development and AI research, along with a national need to strengthen digital resilience. The project aims to position Finland as a leader in this field.
Rise to challenge news release
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HUSKI: Protected Critical Infrastructure Against Hybrid Threats, Turku University of Applied Sciences, University of Turku, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences
The mission of the HUSKI project is to address the challenges posed by hybrid threats to ensure the stability of society, particularly the functionality of critical infrastructure. The project tackles the highly complex challenges arising from the broad spectrum of hybrid threats.
What makes this research project unique?
The HUSKI project addresses an internationally recognized problem related to protecting critical infrastructure against hybrid threats. Hybrid threats are complex, combine various methods of influence, unfold over extended periods, and often target the critical functions of society.
The project is building a digital infrastructure to securely collect and distribute sensitive data in a decentralized manner. The solution leverages homomorphic encryption, federated learning, and GAIA-X-compliant data infrastructure. Observations from critical infrastructure operators, open data, and media analysis will be combined into an AI-powered situational awareness system. This system enables the identification of hybrid threat campaigns and the planning of responses before attacks occur. The solution will be piloted in the water sector.
The project is being implemented by Turku University of Applied Sciences, the University of Turku, the University of Jyväskylä, and the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences. It draws on extensive multidisciplinary expertise, including data processing, artificial intelligence, culture, communication, politics, and intelligence.
"Protecting critical infrastructure requires innovative solutions to evolving hybrid threats. Finland aims to be a leader in developing these solutions at the international level. The HUSKI project is creating a data analytics-based solution for anticipating and detecting threats, as well as concrete protective measures. At the same time, the project supports companies in developing and commercializing new solutions," describes Päivi Mattila, Senior Specialist at Turku University of Applied Sciences.
Why was this research project selected for funding?
The project addresses the highly complex nature of hybrid threats, which require a comprehensive approach. It considers technical, societal, communicational, and human factors. The results of the project can be applied broadly beyond the water sector to other critical infrastructure domains, such as energy, transportation, healthcare, and financial sectors.
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OCEANAut: On Chip Edge AI Neuromorphic Applications for Security, University of Turku
The OCEANAut project (On-Chip Edge AI Neuromorphic Applications for Security) explores and develops the next generation of highly energy-efficient neuromorphic computing systems for security and defense applications.
What makes this research project unique?
The OCEANAut project focuses on developing next-generation neuromorphic computing systems—systems that mimic brain functionality. These systems will integrate memristors, AI-based edge computing, and energy-autonomous sensor systems. The technology being developed will enable autonomous decision-making with energy consumption that is up to a thousand times lower than that of current technologies. This advancement is especially critical for applications where traditional computing is impractical or infeasible. Since memristor research is still at an early stage, the project’s initial applications target autonomous robotics.
"We are developing and manufacturing neuromorphic chips that allow artificial intelligence to be utilized in demanding conditions, such as underwater, in space, and in areas where cloud services are not accessible. Our project strengthens Finland's technological expertise and autonomy while creating export opportunities," explains Professor Petriina Paturi from the University of Turku.
Why was this research project selected for funding?
The solution being developed in this project is based on the research team's robust and globally unique expertise in memristor technology and related patents. Through the competencies created by this project, Finland has the potential to become a pioneer in the production of a new type of chip. Memristors could significantly reduce the energy consumption of artificial intelligence applications in the future. Globally, the neuromorphic computing market is projected to be worth up to $10 trillion by 2032.
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REINFORCE: Automatic Detection and Correction of Industrial Design Flaws – Toward Fail-Safe Industries, Tampere University Foundation, University of Helsinki, University of Jyväskylä
The goal of the REINFORCE project is to make a significant breakthrough in industrial design. It aims to revolutionize the early-stage design process by leveraging robotics and cyber-secure solutions through a novel neuro-symbolic AI application.
What makes this research project unique?
Poor software quality and cyberattacks cost the global economy approximately $15 trillion annually. Fully automated modeling methods will enable simulation, system monitoring, hypothesis testing, and design optimization. The application areas include explainable machine learning models, the design of cyber-physical systems, robot control, and cybersecurity assessment.
The REINFORCE project seeks to transform the early-stage design process by integrating robotics and cyber-secure solutions using a novel neuro-symbolic AI application. The project’s core solution is based on creating automated models utilizing graph-based representations and theory-driven neural networks. These tools will structure and analyze complex problems while optimizing the solutions being developed. The goal is to automate model development in a way that identifies vulnerabilities and enhances decision-making in industrial applications safely.
"The platform improves system quality and performance by addressing critical issues during the early stages of the design process, when significant costs and constraints are defined," says Professor Eric Coatanea from Tampere University.
"A formal foundation is essential to advancing the next generation of AI-driven design and enabling explainable automation in the design workflow. The project aims to make a significant breakthrough in industrial design," adds Professor Sasu Tarkoma from the University of Helsinki.
Why was this research project selected for funding?
The project builds on long-term research and the DACM model (Dimensional Analysis Conceptual Modeling) developed at Tampere University, combined with AI expertise from the University of Helsinki and cybersecurity expertise from the University of Jyväskylä. The initiative addresses a major economic challenge in manufacturing industries. Development cycles for production systems are lengthy, with commercial outcomes expected to materialize in the 2030s.
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TeleQuant, Tampere University Foundation, VTT, Aalto University Foundation
The objective of the TeleQuant project, "Telecom-Wavelength Quantum Communication with On-Demand Quantum Light Sources", is to develop key components and systems for quantum communication technology.
What makes this research project unique?
The rapid advancement of quantum computers and quantum computing exposes current encryption technologies to security risks. The TeleQuant project focuses on developing key components and systems for quantum communication technology. In the first phase, fundamental building blocks for quantum key distribution (QKD) will be developed, including fiber-compatible single-photon sources and single-photon detectors operating at telecommunications wavelengths. These components will be demonstrated in the second phase of the project.
"TeleQuant brings together Finland's top expertise in photonics, semiconductor, and superconducting technologies to implement a fiber-compatible quantum communication system. The project's goal is to enhance Finland’s telecommunications resilience and hardware autonomy at a time when quantum technology is opening new opportunities but also creating cybersecurity challenges. The project builds on new semiconductor quantum light sources developed at Tampere University, as well as superconducting technologies for single-photon detection developed by VTT and Aalto University," explains Technical Coordinator, Dr. Teemu Hakkarainen from Tampere University.
Why was this research project selected for funding?
The global quantum communication market is projected to grow from 1,41 billion in 2025 to 3.12 billion dollars by 2034.
The new expertise generated by this project will also create significant opportunities for the emergence of spinoff companies. The research collaborators represent world-class expertise in quantum technology research.
TeleQuant news release
New call will be launched in theend of August. Preliminary information about the call.
More information
Karin Wikman and Virpi Mikkonen
e-mail is in format firstname.lastname@businessfinland.fi
