{"id":16163,"date":"2026-03-25T09:52:50","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T07:52:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/?page_id=16163"},"modified":"2026-03-25T09:53:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T07:53:19","slug":"dual-use-sparks-funding","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/services\/funding-growth\/dual-use-sparks-funding\/","title":{"rendered":"Dual-Use Sparks Funding"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover aligncenter is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#ccd0e7\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"567\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-15030\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/oulu-innovation_strategia.jpg\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/oulu-innovation_strategia.jpg 960w, https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/oulu-innovation_strategia-300x177.jpg 300w, https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/oulu-innovation_strategia-768x454.jpg 768w, https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/oulu-innovation_strategia-480x284.jpg 480w, https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/oulu-innovation_strategia-560x331.jpg 560w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ignite Your Innovation with Dual-use Sparks Funding<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you an innovative SME or startup in the Oulu region with a breakthrough dual-use product idea? Dual-use Sparks Funding, offered by <strong>Oulu Innovation Oy<\/strong>, is your agile, risk-free financing partner to turn ideas into market-ready solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Dual-use Sparks Funding?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A convertible loan program designed to support early-stage development and piloting of dual-use product innovations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Funding Range:<\/strong> \u20ac5,000\u2013\u20ac30,000 for piloting a new dual-use product, provided the customer also commits resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Flexible &amp; Agile:<\/strong> No collateral or prior track record needed, with funding offered as an interest-free, unsecured, equity-based convertible loan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Collaborative Requirement:<\/strong> Must be linked to an Oulu-based research institute\u2014either as the innovation source or as a pilot partner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Proof-of-Concept:<\/strong> Develop a prototype that meets customer needs and gathers real feedback.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Revenue-Based Royalties:<\/strong> Pay 10% of generated revenue until the royalties equal twice the original loan amount. If no revenue is generated, repay at twice the original amount or convert the loan into company shares (e.g., \u20ac10,000 = 1% equity).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who Can Receive Funding?<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Tailored for growth-minded companies ready to scale internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Target Audience:<\/strong> SMEs and startups in the Oulu region from any industry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Innovation Criteria:<\/strong> Product- or service-based ideas with international market potential and a customer-oriented pilot environment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mandatory Engagement:<\/strong> Must commit to presenting the innovation at defense-related events and maintain a connection to a local research institute.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How It Works in Practice<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A straightforward process with expert support at every step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Loan Terms:<\/strong> A three-year, interest-free, unsecured convertible loan ranging from \u20ac5,000 to \u20ac30,000.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Revenue-Based Royalties:<\/strong> Only pay 10% royalties on generated revenue; flexible repayment options allow early settlement anytime within the period.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Non-Revenue Option:<\/strong> If no revenue is generated, repay at twice the original amount or convert the loan into equity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Apply<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A simple, guided application process ensures your innovation gets the support it needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Prepare &amp; Submit:<\/strong> Register and submit a free-form application detailing your company, customer case, solution, team, project plan, pilot details, international market potential, technological feasibility, and funding needs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Initial Review:<\/strong> The Diana Center Operation Team provides initial feedback and supports your application preparation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Evaluation &amp; Decision:<\/strong> Your application undergoes business analysis by the Oulu Innovation finance team, then is forwarded to the board for the final funding decision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Contacts<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hannu Nikurautio (Diana Center Oulu):<\/strong><br> <a>hannu.nikurautio@oulu.fi<\/a> | +358 40 729 0653<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Olli L\u00f6ytynoja (Sparks Funding):<\/strong><br> <a>olli.loytynoja@businessoulu.com<\/a> | +358 400 340 028<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Jussi leponiemi (Business Oulu)<\/strong> <br><a>jussi.leponiemi@businessoulu.com<\/a> | +358 44 238 7860<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ignite Your Innovation with Dual-use Sparks Funding Are you an innovative SME or startup in the Oulu region with a breakthrough dual-use product idea? Dual-use Sparks Funding, offered by Oulu Innovation Oy, is your agile, risk-free financing partner to turn ideas into market-ready solutions. What Is Dual-use Sparks Funding? A convertible loan program designed to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":15080,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"12299,6047,4269,7162,15322,5696","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-16163","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16163","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16163"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16163\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16165,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16163\/revisions\/16165"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/15080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/oulu.com\/ictoulu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16163"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}