The number of Business Partnership Support applications continues to rise

13.10.2026

I joined Finnpartnership in October 2025 and, over the past year, I have seen how Finnish companies’ interest in developing markets has grown. The number of Business Partnership Support applications has risen every year since 2020, and over the last three years we have received more than 100 applications each year. This year, too, we have already received more than 100 applications by the start of October.

The most popular project objective has continued to be long-term business partnership, where a Finnish company aims, for example, to establish a subsidiary or joint venture in a developing market. We have also received an increasing number of applications for innovation funding, which enables a Finnish company to further develop a product or service in collaboration with a local partner.

This year, the projects that have been granted funding have spanned a range of different sectors and target countries. By far the most popular target country has been Ukraine, where many of the projects focus on reconstruction. Other popular target countries have included India, Kenya, Rwanda and Vietnam. Alongside the construction sector, there are also several projects in fields such as health, education and ICT. The most common activities that have already been carried out or are yet to be carried out in this year’s projects include preliminary tasks of establishing a business, such as conducting a feasibility study or business plan, identifying local partners, and assessing environmental and social impacts.

Our funding is intended precisely for this purpose: to help Finnish companies determine the most favourable way to launch their business in a developing market. The markets of Asia, Africa and Latin America offer huge opportunities for Finnish companies, and here at Finnpartnership we are delighted to help companies seize them!