Applying for financing for a start-up

Before starting a business, a start-up entrepreneur should focus on business planning with particular care. Prepare a thorough business plan with a clear description of the project. For example, do you already know who your future company's customers are and how you can reach them?

If you are just starting out your business, provide enough information about your background. Your personal education, training and former experience are important when it comes to launching your activities.

You can prepare a business plan, for example, using the business plan tool on the Job Market Finland website. The business plan and profit plan also needs to be attached to the financing application if you apply for financing directly from Finnvera.

Prepare a profit forecast carefully. When preparing the forecast, start with what is a realistic sales target considering your production capacity and input and how much turnover you could generate with them. In general, it is easier to estimate the costs of operations than to forecast the turnover. You can find good calculators on the Suomi.fi website, for example.

When you have a finalised business and financing plan, contact your bank. Your bank may grant credit to finance the early stages of your business operations.

You can apply for financing even before you have set up your company. However, the financing documents can be drawn up and the financing can come into effect only after your company has been registered with the Trade Register.