The Silmu Grant: A strategic investment by the Science Foundation with long-term impact

Launched in 2020, the Silmu Grant has been a unique and targeted funding instrument designed to support the commercialization of research-based inventions and business ideas. The grant has been particularly aimed at projects bridging research and business, combining academic excellence with potential in international markets.

Over five years, the Foundation has received 68 applications, of which 12 have been awarded funding totaling more than €600,000. Individual grants of €50,000 have been directed specifically at the critical early-stage phase of the projects.

The results of a recent impact analysis of Silmu are compelling:

• 40% of the funded companies began generating revenue within three years of receiving funding.
• 150% growth in the number of full-time employees within two years, with a focus on research and product development.
• 20% of revenue-generating companies have already started exporting internationally.

“The Silmu Grant has also served as a strong catalyst for private funding. Many funded companies have secured significant additional investments, which has accelerated market entry. Silmu has been praised particularly for its agility, its focus on critical early-stage needs, and for offering an opportunity to test and validate business models safely before larger investments,” says Dr. Markku Lämsä, Attorney of the Science Foundation.

With Silmu, the foundation continues its mission to support Finnish research expertise and innovative entrepreneurship. The foundation remains committed to further developing the program to meet the evolving needs of the research and business landscape.

Foundation’s 2026 grant call is currently open for research related to medical as well as technical and natural sciences equipment and methods. At the same time, the €50,000 Silmu Grant is open for applications from researcher-innovators and science entrepreneurs. The call closes on September 15, 2025.