Tekes Today

Tekes Today Tekes is the main public investor in applied research and industry in Finland, while encouraging work between scientific institutions and companies through networking, technology cooperation and encourages business competition, promotes the internationalization companies and funding the development of knowledge-based companies (spin off). All this with the strategic objectives of strengthening the scientific base of Finland, increasing the number of technology companies or investing in research and development, market research results and ensure more effective use of the efforts of all involved in research. The agency is headquartered in Helsinki, but has 14 regional agencies and six abroad. The main objective of these centers is to be in close contact with entrepreneurs and innovative talent in the country. Also, TEKES has offices in Beijing, Brussels, Tokyo, San Jose, Silicon Valley and Washington DC.Originally had 20 staff members, today more than 300, of which 150 are experts in technology and business. Most of them work on the premises of Helsinki, mainly devoted to the evaluation of nominations for project financing, technology programs and to advise those interested in presenting such projects. TEKES's annual budget is 500 million euros from the national budget via the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which are channeled through 2,000 projects. TEKES customers reached approximately 2,000 companies, nearly all universities and research institutes in Finland (from 700 to 900), and a growing international network. Tekes offers partners from abroad the opportunity to become agents in the field of technology in Finland. Tekes usually finances half the cost of programs.In the past 20 years, Tekes has participated in or contributed to the development of a thousand inventions leading to the creation of hundreds of new companies, two hundred thousand jobs directly and indirectly Tekes is about 6,000 cases a year enterprise selection of projects for funding is the basis of Tekes operations. The financial services are channeled through research and development projects undertaken by companies, research institutes and universities. Companies are encouraged to contact the agency at the initial stages of planning for research and development, so experts can provide advice TEKES. The agency does not obtain economic benefits for their services or claims for itself any kind of intellectual property. Once the project submission process, they are evaluated internally by experts from TEKES. Then, the agency assigns each one an expert to keep track.The preparation and program planning is done jointly by Tekes, industry and research institutes. Were held "workshops" preparatory and TEKES finally makes the decision. Each technology program has a responsibility to TEKES and has a team responsible. Tekes finances about 50 of the projects and the remaining 50 is provided by participating companies. The program volume varies between 10 and 120 million euros. Project evaluation is normally carried out by external experts TEKES. The aid may be through soft loans or grants, depending on the degree of development of the project and its inherent quality. TEKES provides grants, capital loans and industrial loans. The aid is offered in accordance with the following parameters: - Grants for industrial research and development range from 15 to 50 cost competitive basis - capital loans for R D range from 35 to 60 cost competitive basis.- Loans for industrial research and development range from 45 to 70 cost competitive basis. Can combine different forms of aid on the same project. In case of research institutes and universities, research and development aid to cover from 50 to 100 of costs. The grants are directly intended for research and development work undertaken by these institutions. Normally, projects are developed in cooperation with companies. Foreign agencies can receive funding if they are registered in Finland. Foreign companies with research and development partners do not need to qualify for financing Finns. However, the activities funded must contribute to the Finnish economy. TEKES is constantly looking for new areas that appear attractive, where a collaborative effort can lead to success.