Finnvera loans, guarantees and Start Guarantee

Deadlines

Applications are taken continuously. There is no cut-off to plan around; decisions follow the agency's own handling time.

Start with your bank. The bank files the Start Guarantee application for you, and Finnvera usually decides within 3 business days. The Finnvera Loan is only available alongside other financiers, so a bank or investor must be in the package. The Start Guarantee requires private individual ownership, so check early whether corporate or VC shareholders affect eligibility. Principal shareholders must give personal guarantee undertakings. Finnvera typically expects about 15% self-financing for investments, but not for the Start Guarantee or SME Guarantee. Companies older than 3 years can use the SME Guarantee (up to EUR 200,000 per company) or the Finnvera Guarantee. The Loan for Micro-Enterprise Growth ran from February to July 2026, so it is closed and not listed as a deadline. No deadlines apply, as the products are open year-round.

Checked 2026-10-12 against finnvera.fi . Confirm on the official page before you plan a submission.

Who can apply

Open to companies in Finland. Start Guarantee: Finnish SMEs under the EU definition, privately owned, no more than 3 years since Trade Register entry. Not open to cooperatives or associations. Finnvera Loan: SMEs, and larger companies on special grounds. It is granted only as part of a total financing package with other financiers.

Amount

Start Guarantee: EUR 10,000 to EUR 80,000 per project, up to EUR 160,000 in total per company, covering at most 80% of a bank loan. Finnvera Loan: minimum EUR 50,000, usually as part of a co-financing package.