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Five opportunities for Oulu ICT SMEs right now

Laptop with coding displayed on workbench

We hope that all our ICTOulu portal members have had an excellent summer and are fully refreshed, ready to go for the remainder of 2024!

As everyone returns to working life again, now is as good a time as any to provide a reminder of some of the opportunities for funding and support that are currently open to tech SMEs in Oulu. These range across a variety of different topics within ICT and, whether you work in software or hardware, there should be something for you if you are looking for new and exciting business opportunities.


NATO DIANA Challenges 2024

Summary: This initiative strives to unite the most skilled and inventive individuals from across the NATO Alliance, guaranteeing the safety of its members. If you are an Oulu-based tech business, particularly if you are an early-stage startup or SME, and have a pioneering and disruptive dual-use solution, this is an amazing opportunity to receive significant funding and to take part in a program that can help develop and scale up your innovation.

Deadline: Friday 9th August 2024

OYSTER Incubator from OuluHealth

Summary: Our friends at Oulu Health have recently extended the deadline for applications for their own OYSTER Incubator program. This is primarily targeted at starting companies as well as researchers, students, professionals, and innovators interested in developing innovations for the social and healthcare sectors.

Deadline: Wednesday 28th August 2024

Deep Tech Accelerator from Business Finland

Summary: Business Finland’s Deep Tech Accelerator has been set up to speed up the market entry of promising deep tech startups (that are no more than five-years-old) and the launch of scalable international business. The funding package consists of three €400,000 phases, the first two of which are grants and the third is a loan.

Deadline: Sunday 8th September 2024

Meta Quest Lifestyle App Accelerator

Summary: This six-month program from one of the biggest global internet companies is designed to fuel innovative lifestyle experiences for Meta Quest. Founders will be provided with dedicated funding and support to build apps for a whole host of everyday activities including music, fashion, and beauty to name a few.

Deadline: Tuesday 15th October

Digital Europe Calls from the European Commission

Summary: The European Commission’s Digital Europe programme announced some new funding calls last month for solutions rooted in cyber security. Subjects covered include the introduction of new technologies for cyber security preparedness, solutions for the implementation of EU cyber security regulations, and Security Operation Centre (SOC) developments.

Deadline: Tuesday 21st January 2025