Tekes funding principles

Tekes funds risky projects that create new know-how and innovations. The funding must have an integral impact on the project and the intended results must be significant considering funding.

Who can get funding?

Funding is intended for companies and public operators for R&D and innovation operating in Finland. 

Small and medium-sized companies can obtain special funding for the procurement of expert services to support innovation activities. Young innovative companies can obtain funding for growth and internationalisation.

All funding is competition-based funding, which is guided by uniform principles throughout Finland.

How are projects selected?

Tekes selects for funding projects that create in the long-term the greatest benefits for the economy and society. The other applications and the project's impacts on other companies and society are taken into account in the evaluation of applications.

The projects to be funded are chosen by evaluating them as a whole

• intended business or other utilisation
• technology, innovation or know-how to be developed
• resources to be used
• cooperation to be developed or utilised
• societal and environmental wellbeing factors to be promoted
• impact of Tekes' funding and expert work

In total, 50−60 per cent of funding for companies is directed to small and medium-sized companies. Projects in large companies are required to have strong national and international networking with research communities, suppliers, partners and customers, so that external impacts are significant.