Finland’s cleantech industry is projected to triple by 2030, driven by a robust commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035. The government has placed a high priority on the green transition, establishing initiatives that align economic growth with sustainability goals.
Public investments in cleantech R&D reached an astonishing €3 billion in Finland in 2023, representing approximately 0.9% of GDP, significantly exceeding the EU average of 0.7%.
The Finnish cleantech landscape is characterized by a collaborative approach involving the government, academia, and the private sector, fostering an environment where innovation flourishes.
Seed rounds in Finland range from €200,000 to €2 million, with notable firms like Cleantech Invest leading the way, and median times for seed funding rounds generally hover around 6 to 12 months.
Series A funding in Finland ranges from €5 million to €15 million, with VCs like Lifeline Ventures and VNT Management becoming active players at this stage.
Finland’s cleantech startups face unique challenges as they seek to scale and expand into international markets. To address this, the Finnish government has introduced initiatives aimed at fostering internationalization.
In Estonia, early-stage investments are heavily supported by both the public sector and private investors, with seed rounds ranging from €100,000 to €1.5 million and median times for seed funding rounds generally hovering around 5 to 10 months.
As companies transition to Series A funding, investment ranges from €3 million to €10 million, and Estonia’s focus on niche sectors like smart energy and mobility leads to specialized investments in later rounds.
Estonian cleantech startups increasingly focus on international collaborations to scale operations, with the Estonian Chamber of Commerce hosting a cleantech summit in 2023, attracting over 200 international investors.
The Estonian cleantech sector benefits from collaborative innovation, driving the development of scalable cleantech solutions, and is characterized by strong digital infrastructure and government support.