Initial funding

At the early stages, businesses often need funding. You almost always need to invest your own money, but you can also get support elsewhere.

New entrepreneurs often need additional funding for early-stage investments, storage or working capital. The financing of a company is usually provided by three sources: self-financing by the entrepreneur, a loan and possible grants.

Self-financing refers to your own savings or other assets (capital contribution) such as machinery, real estate or a car that can be used to support early-stage financing. In order to obtain a bank loan, an entrepreneur often needs collateral. Finnvera’s Start Guarantee may be suitable for the new entrepreneur, and this may be a condition of the bank loan. Finnvera can also grant an entrepreneur loan in situations such as transfers of ownership.

ELY Centres support development investments under certain conditions and regionally. In rural areas, Leader groups may also give grants to start-ups.

All funding requires a clear business plan, realistic calculations and justifications for why this particular company is a profitable investment.