Business Finland receives €14m in creative industries R&D funding applications | PocketGamer.biz

Business Finland received 71 applications totaling over 14 million euros during its second research and development funding call for the country's creative industries. The funding stems from a state budget decision to establish permanent annual R&D funding of 9 million euros for the creative sector.

Applicants spanned multiple fields such as games, audiovisual media, literature, architecture, and communications. Gaming companies and research organizations partnering with businesses submitted the largest funding requests. This round also saw participation from numerous micro-businesses, startups, and companies undertaking their first R&D projects.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning featured prominently across the applications, with specific uses identified in sectors like film and events. Other key focus areas included immersive technologies and intangible value creation. Officials noted that more micro and small companies received funding compared to the previous call, reflecting growing research ambition among smaller enterprises.

This financial support matters because it helps Finnish creative businesses build stronger foundations for entering international markets, including through collaborative joint projects. Business Finland intends to launch another creative industries funding call later in the year, making an additional 9 million euros available.