REPowerEU grant application round for energy investments opened. The grant is aimed for the introduction of new clean technologies for energy production and use, and/or by promoting the development of the production and storage of renewable hydrogen on a commercial scale.

Business Finland is renewing its funding services to better support long-term research and development activities.

Third application round for energy investment aid under Finland’s RRF plan is open. Applications will be accepted for direct electrification and decarbonisation of industrial processes investments until the 13th of November 2023.

Finnvera has introduced new loan products, the Climate and Environmental Loan and the Digitalisation and Innovation Loan, which have been implemented in cooperation with the European Investment Fund with the support of the InvestEU Guarantee Programme.

Large demonstration projects for new energy technologies have received significant support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment (TEM). The investment grant is targeted towards new energy solutions that can help Finland achieve its EU 2030 targets and national targets by 2035.

The aim is to increase the RDI intensity of the creative economy in the long term and to strengthen cooperation between companies and research organizations in the creative economy, thus promoting the renewal of the creative economy.

Business Finland and the Ministry on Economic Affairs and Employment (TEM) have published the energy grant calls for projects.

Our first newsletter of the year contains 1) our outlook for SME & corporate funding access in 2023, 2) an overview of selected customers we supported in 2022, 3) the recently published Energy grants, 4) our upcoming webinar on Green transition funding together with Danske Bank 9th of May 2023, and 5) a selection of funding tips we have shared in recent months.

By utilising export credit, Finnish exporter can offer long-term financing to foreign buyers on OECD-terms.

Massive investment wave is expected driven by industrial green transition investments. As of Spring 2023, there is some EUR 30 billion announced investment projects nationally, ranging from wind power to green hydrogen projects and from green steel to plant-based textile production.

Business Finland has launched a new funding call for deep tech startups, with a deadline for applications of 31 March 2023.

We fundraised debt or equity for eight customers, secured public funding (including investment grants) for five customers, and two real estate transactions. In addition, we have supported our clients with M&A, valuation opinions, restructurings, and other strategic or corporate finance related projects. 

Swedish electric motorcycle manufacturer RGNT Motorcycles has received scale-up financing from Nordic Green Bank (Nefco) to accelerate its commercialization and contribute to the transition towards zero-emission vehicles.

In January 2023, Business Finland has announced new funding programmes for sustainable development that will enable innovation projects by SMEs.

Hartwall Capital, a family-owned investment company, has made an investment in Vastuu Group to help the company expand its service offering in the domestic market and prepare for international expansion.

Expectations for the future changed drastically over 2022. Geopolitical instability in Europe, persistent inflation, rising interest rates and expectations of an economic slowdown are creating uncertainty about the outlook for the euro area. The market situation is also strongly reflected in the outlook for business and access to finance for SMEs and growth companies.

The Swedish tech company, Sensative AB, has received loan financing from the Nordic Green Bank, Nefco, to expand its IoT solutions business and help improve energy and resource efficiency worldwide.

Grannenfelt Finance is joining SLUSH once again this year.

Convion Ltd receives financing from Nefco to accelerate the transition to the green hydrogen economy.

Loss-making growth has been financed and valuations of growth companies have been high. Now the world has changed; loss-making growth companies are no longer willing to be financed to the same extent as before, as in a world of rising interest rates it is profitable growth that is most valued.