Guide

Business Finland R&D funding guide for AI projects

Use this as the first decision framework before spending serious time on an application. The goal is to understand whether your AI idea can become a credible R&D project.

1. Start with the business decision

Funding should support a strategic move, not rescue an unclear idea. Strong projects usually connect AI to a concrete growth lever: a new product capability, stronger operational model, faster service delivery, better decision support, or a defensible technical asset.

2. Separate implementation from R&D

Buying a tool, automating a workflow, or integrating an existing model is often not enough. The fundable part is the uncertainty: what has to be developed, tested, learned, or proven before the company can capture the opportunity.

3. Build the evaluator story

A strong application explains why the project matters, why it is hard, why your company can execute it, how the budget supports the work, and what happens after a successful project.

4. Decide what help you need

Some teams need application drafting. Others need earlier AI project shaping, technical-commercial translation, or an experienced operator to keep the project realistic. BRNSFT Capital can support any of those stages.