Business Finland announced the results of its latest funding round for the creative industries, receiving 71 applications that together sought more than €14 million. The call is the second of its kind and follows a permanent €9 million commitment from the state budget to support research and development in the sector. Applicants spanned a broad range of creative fields, including games, audiovisual production, literature, architecture and communication agencies. In euro terms, the largest funding requests came from companies in the games sector and from research organisations involved in joint projects with businesses.
Reviewers noted a clear uptick in proposals that involve artificial intelligence and machine learning. Many applicants were micro and small companies and a number were preparing their first-ever R&D projects, which Business Finland interpreted as a sign of growing ambition. Ella Kylmäaho, head of the Consumer and Creative Industries unit, said the agency was pleased to be able to fund slightly more micro- and small-sized companies on this round. She also highlighted a funded collaboration between four companies that will allow them to leverage each other’s expertise and networks as they aim at international markets.