Turku doubles down on growth: funding opportunities and investor access for startups and research teams
Through Business Turku, companies in the region from early-stage startups to research teams can now tap into a wide range of funding instruments, investor networks, and advisory services, all free of charge.
Turku is strengthening its position as a rising innovation hub in Finland — and access to funding is taking center stage.
Through Business Turku, companies in the region — from early-stage startups to research teams — can now tap into a wide range of funding instruments, investor networks, and advisory services, all free of charge.
In this context, on April 21st, an event organized by Business Turku, Enterprise Europe Network and the InnoTurku project will take place, which aims to offer a concise and practical overview, especially for growing and internationalizing companies, from public support instruments to private and market-based financing options.
- Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 12:30-16:00
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- Location: Event and Visitor Center Joki, Putous Auditorium
- Address: Lemminkäisenkatu 12B, 20520 Turku
- Language: Finnish
Funding is no longer the bottleneck — readiness is
One of the key shifts highlighted by Business Turku is that securing funding today is not just about availability, but about being investment-ready.
That’s where the Investment Readiness Process (IRP) comes in — a structured method designed to help companies:
- Improve their funding strategy
- Connect with investors
- Strengthen their business case
Originally developed for startups, IRP is now expanding to support Research to Business (R2B) projects, bridging the gap between research and commercialization.
International growth starts with the right capital
On April 21, Business Turku will host a Funding Info - Internationalization event, bringing together companies and key financiers.
The focus: helping businesses understand how to scale globally through the right mix of:
- Public funding
- Private investment
- Market-based financing
Key funding opportunities now open
Several funding calls are currently available for companies aiming to grow and internationalize:
- R&D funding for SMEs (Elinvoimakeskus)
- Creative industries funding (Business Finland)
- Microenterprise growth loans (Finnvera)
- Sprint funding for innovation and international markets (Business Finland)
Deadlines range from April to August 2026.
The bigger picture
What’s happening in Turku reflects a broader trend across Europe: Ecosystems are not just offering funding — they are building structures that make companies fundable.
And that shift could define which startups successfully scale... and which don’t.
If you’re building in Finland — or looking to expand into it — Turku is becoming a place to watch.