Financial Support and Funding

Finnish Public Funding for the Game Industry is primarily R&D-oriented. Cultural funding schemes, which are common in many other European countries, are almost non-existent in Finland. One exception is the DigiDemo funding program, which is also available for games.

The main source of public R&D funding for Finnish game studios is Business Finland, which has supported the industry with various instruments and funding schemes since the mid 1990s - with excellent results. Other sources of public funding include project-based regional funding schemes, research funding related to the game industry, and grants from independent foundations. Additionally, funding is available through the Creative Europe program.

BUSINESS FINLAND
Finnish public funding for the game industry focuses mostly on business research, development and innovation. Business Finland, the most important public funding organization in Finland, has been funding the Finnish game industry since the mid 90s. Business Finland offers funding services based on company size, maturity and financial capability, and creates programs and funding calls for gaming and creative industries.
‍
Business Finland's funding shares risk and attracts investors. The funding is grant or loan and can be applied by companies registered in Finland. No ownership is claimed. Game companies located and doing business in Finland can use funding e.g. for:
- Testing the viability of the business concept, exploring demand on a new market and getting feedback from potential customers (Tempo funding).
- Developing and piloting new products, services and business models (Research, Development and Piloting funding).
- Rapid scaling of business to international markets, e.g. strengthening the team and developing global growth strategy (Young Innovative Company funding).
- Collaboration with research groups that cooperate with companies seeking business growth in the international market or want to build their research into new business.

In addition to funding, Business Finland offers services for organizational development and internationalization services through the Team Finland network.

Learn more about Business Finland’s funding services: https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/games

In 2025 Business Finland launched Immersive Creative Experiences program, which is a long-term commitment to VR/AR/XR/metaverse game business. This industry is expected to grow globally to an EUR 8–13 billion business by 2030. The industry covers a wide variety of business models, verticals and technologies ranging from deep tech to content and industrial metaverse to games and entertainment. Business Finland also offers production incentive for the audiovisual industry. In Finland the maximum cash rebate for production costs is 25%. Learn more: https://www.businessfinland.fi/en/for-finnish-customers/services/funding/cash-rebate

Contacts
Kari Korhonen
Senior Advisor
Business Finland
kari.korhonen@businessfinland.fi

Olli Sinerma
Senior Advisor
Business Finland
olli.sinerma@businessfinland.fi 

WORK IN FINLAND
Work in Finland helps companies in Finland bridge skill shortages and drive innovation by connecting them with international talent from abroad and within Finland. Through global promotion, strategic partnerships, and support programs, we enhance companies' visibility among skilled professionals and provide tools for effective international recruitment. By attracting high-potential scale-up startups to Finland, we also create collaboration and technology access opportunities for established companies. Leveraging our networks, insights, and partnerships with the Talent Boost network, we support Finnish companies in building a globally diverse and dynamic workforce, which boost business growth.

Develop your company's capabilities for internationalization and international recruitment which can foster growth and can be reflected through metrics such as turnover, new customers, and the expansion of expertise. Service and support are available from the experts at Work in Finland. Learn more: www.workinfinland.fi

INVEST IN FINLAND
Invest in Finland is the official investment promotion agency of Finland, offering dedicated services to international companies and investors. Whether you're planning, setting up, or expanding your business in Finland, we provide industry insights, tailored recommendations, and hands-on support to help you succeed. We work closely with Business Finland and regional partners across the country. Our services are confidential and free of charge. Learn more: www.businessfinland.com/investinfinland



FINNVERA
As a state-owned specialised financing company Finnvera supplements the financial market. The risks included in financing are shared between Finnvera and other providers of financing. Finnvera provides guarantees and loans for businesses ranging from small micro-enterprises to SMEs aiming to grow through export and internationalisation. For more information: https://www.finnvera.fi/eng

DIGIDEMO
DigiDemo is a funding program for product development, aimed at supporting the development of new audiovisual or other cultural content and narrative forms including games. DigiDemo is administered by AVEK and funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture. For more information: https://www.kopiosto.fi/en/avek-frontpage/  

THE FINNISH CULTURAL FOUNDATION
The Finnish Cultural Foundation (Suomen Kulttuurirahasto / SKR),supports cultural projects, including games, with grants. Grants can be applied for artistic design or implementation of games. For more information about grants and application periods, please visit the foundation's website. For more information: https://skr.fi/en

CREATIVE EUROPE PROGRAMME
Creative Europe (2021-2027) is the European Union’s flagship programme to support the culture and audiovisual sectors. Creative Europe has many different funding instruments, but the one most suitable for video games is the Media sub-programme's Video Games & Immersive Content funding call. The aim of the funding is to increase the capacity of European video game producers, XR studios and audiovisual production companies to develop narrative video games and interactive immersive experiences with the potential to reach global audiences. Application period is once a year. For more information: https://mediadesk.fi/creative-europe-programme

‍
Play Ventures, Sisu Game Ventures, Supercell Ventures and F4 Fund are all investment firms founded by Finnish Game Industry veterans. Nordic Game Ventures, which invests exclusively in unlisted early-stage game development and games ecosystem SMEs in the Nordic region, also operates in Finland.

There are also several game industry veterans in Finland who are willing to invest their capital, earned from exits or other business successes. Many of them are not listed publicly. However, some angel investors with game industry knowledge and interest can be found via FiBAN.

More information:
‍https://www.play.vc/
‍https://sisu.vc/
‍https://investments.supercell.com/
‍https://f4.fund/
‍https://fiban.org/