Upcoming Sprint funding call to boost small companies’ ambition for international growth

Sprint funding is suitable as a first R&D funding instrument for startup companies as well as for established companies seeking a fundamental strategic shift by developing a new innovation. The goal is to help companies gain growth momentum and strengthen their capabilities to develop the solution, commercialize it, and apply for follow-on funding.

This grant-based funding is intended for projects that develop new, innovative solutions and assess their technical feasibility, customer need, and market potential. The funding helps companies generate stronger proof of business potential and solution viability, improving their prospects for continued development and securing significant private investments.

More speed, courage and ambition

“Only the best ideas succeed in global competition. Finland’s growth is limited by the relatively low number of internationally competitive companies. We need more ambition — the trust that we can be the best in the world. We also need multinational networks, expertise, and companies capable of turning innovations into international business. There is great potential for creating these innovations in new startup companies but also in established businesses that boldly renew themselves by developing new solutions. That’s why we are renewing Business Finland’s funding services to raise ambition levels. Our strategic mission is to share part of the risk so that entrepreneurs dare to aim higher and build global success stories. Our funding is an investment in strong teams that create new value for society as a whole,” says Business Finland Director General Lassi Noponen.

“Renewal is often a difficult but important decision on a company’s growth path. Real leaps happen when a company dares to question its existing business and boldly build something new. With Sprint funding, we also want to support these situations where a company consciously changes direction and aims clearly higher. When the owners and leadership commit to bold renewal, we can join in sharing the risk,” Noponen continues.

“With Sprint funding, we focus on projects with a high level of ambition. We offer a clear first step for companies at the beginning of their growth journey and for those making significant strategic shifts. Sprint provides companies new opportunities to develop innovations, test their market potential, and enter international markets as more credible players. The funding will be piloted, and decisions on its continuation will be made later,” says Marjo Ilmari, Senior Director at Business Finland.

Investing in the development of an innovative solution

“According to our new strategy, we aim to increase the volume of our customers’ research and development activities and raise their level of ambition. A Sprint project must consist mainly of R&D activities and include measures related not only to R&D but also to market exploration and business planning,” Ilmari explains.

The solution developed in a Sprint project must provide an innovation-based competitive advantage and have significant market potential internationally. The company must have credible capabilities and commitment to developing the solution and scaling the business rapidly. The maximum Sprint grant is EUR 100,000, and the applicant company must have a minimum of EUR 50,000 in equity investments.

Stay Tuned!

More detailed information and final criteria will be published when the Sprint funding call opens in early 2026.