Consulting Services for SMEs

There are things that are not worth doing alone. With the help of our expert services, your company can more quickly identify the right areas for development. By using an external specialist, you can gain a new perspective on business and marketing development. Our strengths lie especially in marketing and concept design related to the establishment phase of a startup, as well as in building brand identities.
We know the path of a starting entrepreneur, as we have been an expert member of the Kuopio Region New Business Center since 2013. There is various funding available for established SMEs to purchase expert and consulting services. You can, for example, utilize the Market Explorer service or apply for development grants from ELY.

Explore the funding opportunities for consulting services

Business Finland consulting

Market Explorer funding offers SMEs and midcap companies the opportunity to explore new market opportunities and support international growth. This grant-based funding covers the costs of purchased expert services, as well as other eligible costs, which may amount to a maximum of 20 percent of the total value of the purchased services.

The amount of Market Explorer funding ranges between €5,000 and €20,000 and covers 50 percent of the project costs. Therefore, the total project budget can be between €10,000 and €40,000. However, the funding is not paid in advance, so the company must have sufficient financial capacity to finance both the project and its other business operations. The maximum duration of the project is one year, and a company or group can apply for Market Explorer funding multiple times. When granting new funding, however, the impact of previous projects on internationalization will be evaluated.

If a company wants to explore new markets in collaboration with other companies, each company can apply for its own Market Explorer funding. In this case, the expert service costs can be shared as described in the application, benefiting all parties involved.

What is required from the company?

A committed team of at least two people working in Finland, who are already employed by the company at the time of applying for the funding.
The company must be an SME or midcap company that is over 5 years old.
The company must have a Rating Alfa credit rating of at least A from Suomen Asiakastieto and possess the financial capacity for international growth.
The company must have its own product, service, or business model that is at least in the development or piloting stage and has a credible competitive advantage in international markets.
The market area or customer segment to be explored in the project must be new to the company and must not have been studied in previous projects.

Market Explorer funding is an excellent tool for companies looking to explore new opportunities and expand their business into international markets. Get in touch to find out how you can take advantage of this funding opportunity to support your company’s growth.

Contact Markus Aho +358 50 5856005

A digital consultant for ELY-funded projects

Is your company in need of an AI leap or a new boost? The ELY Centre offers various funding opportunities that can help strengthen your company’s competitiveness at a strategic level. ELY Centre funding channels are suitable for growth-seeking SMEs that have established their operations and have the capacity for profitable business. The company may operate either domestically or in international markets.

By leveraging artificial intelligence, you can streamline processes, automate operations, and analyze large volumes of data to support your business. With these tools, a company can allocate its resources more efficiently and discover new opportunities for growth and innovation. We help build AI pilots—request a quote.