Grant and Enterprise Programs – September 2026

1. Finnvera Introduces an Automated Guarantee Model

Finnvera is introducing a new Pikakaista (Fast Lane) service model based on automated decision-making, which speeds up the processing of business financing and the receipt of guarantee decisions. The first product of the new model is the Loan Guarantee (Fast Lane), which lenders can apply for on behalf of SMEs.

The first product of the new automated guarantee model is the Loan Guarantee (Fast Lane), which is intended for SMEs that have been in operation for more than three years. The guarantee is suitable for domestic investments, working capital financing, product development projects and business acquisitions. Finnvera’s guarantee can cover a maximum of 80% of the loan amount. The size of an individual guarantee is EUR 10,000–200,000, and the total amount of Loan Guarantee (Fast Lane) guarantees for a single company can be a maximum of EUR 300,000.

Finnvera ottaa käyttöön automaattisen takausmallin | Finnvera

2. European Commission: Record number of proposals submitted under the European Defence Fund calls: 612 project proposals apply for the 1 billion envelope

The European Defence Fund (EFD) has reached a new milestone, attracting a record 612 project proposals under its 2026 calls for collaborative defence research and development actions. The proposal numbers represent an increase of 49% compared to last year, a further growth following the 38% increase from 2024 to 2025, demonstrating the growing relevance and attractiveness of the Fund. The €1.006 billion available under the 2026 calls has attracted both established industrial actors and emerging innovators eager to collaborate on next-generation defence technologies.

A quarter of the budget is dedicated to implementing the EU Defence Innovation Scheme (EUDIS), which supports innovation and disruptive technologies for defence applications. This includes around €60 million specifically allocated to disruptive technologies. Particularly high numbers of proposals were submitted under the €60 million in non-thematic calls dedicated to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Record number of proposals submitted under the European Defence Fund 2026 calls: 612 project proposals apply for the €1 billion envelope – Defence Industry and Space | European Commission

3. European Commission and EIB Group launch European Institutional Investors Pact to boost investment in European tech scale-ups

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group launched today (September 22nd) the European Institutional Investors Pact (EIIP) at the TechEU Equity Summit.

The Pact is a new voluntary framework designed to channel more long-term institutional capital into Europe’s technology and scale-up ecosystem. Thirteen institutional investors have already expressed their intention to channel investments into Europe’s innovation and scale-up ecosystem, including through the €15 billion European Tech Champions Initiative (ETCI) 2.0 and the €5 billion Scaleup Europe Fund.

European Commission and EIB Group launch European Institutional Investors Pact to boost investment in European tech scale-ups | European Investment Bank

4. EIB Group simplifies access to green finance and approves over €11 billion in new investments

The European Investment Bank (EIB) Group will further reduce red tape for businesses such as manufacturers, utilities, banks and public entities that seek financing for green transition projects.

PATH 2 supports the European Union’s simplification agenda by avoiding EIB Group-specific reporting requirements and leveraging instead the climate-related information already disclosed by clients in order to assess their climate risks and their transition plans. Alongside the adoption of PATH 2, the Boards of Directors of the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF), meeting this week in Luxembourg, also approved €11.5 billion in new financing, including €3.4 billion to strengthen Europe’s energy autonomy.

The EIF approved a €2 billion securitisation package and more than €600 million in loan portfolio guarantees to boost access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe. By expanding the capacity of banks to finance new investments, these operations will back the technological, environmental and cultural sectors, strengthening Europe’s competitiveness and resilience.

EIB Group simplifies access to green finance and approves over €11 billion in new investments | European Investment Bank

5. Finland: EIB acts to strengthen Europe’s power grids with €19 million in financing for Reactive Technologies

The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing Reactive Technologies, a power-grid technology company co-founded in the UK and Finland, with €19 million to promote its technology platform aimed at reducing the risk of electricity outages, lowering grid operating costs and increasing the supply of clean energy in Europe.

EIB and BNP Paribas to mobilise €700 million in guarantees to support European energy grids | European Investment Bank

6. EIB and BNP Paribas to mobilise €700 million in guarantees to support European energy grids

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and BNP Paribas have signed an agreement in support of European energy grids, confirming their shared commitment to the energy transition, European industrial competitiveness and Europe’s security of supply.

The EIB will provide up to €350 million in counter-guarantees, enabling BNP Paribas, which will commit an equivalent amount, to build a portfolio of bank guarantees (on behalf of its clients) of up to €700 million to support new investment in energy grids across the European Union. The leverage generated by this counter-guarantee is expected to stimulate up to €2.8 billion in investment in the real economy.

EIB and BNP Paribas to mobilise €700 million in guarantees to support European energy grids | European Investment Bank