A vocational education and training provider is an entity that organises training that meets the definition of vocational basic education provided by law.

The applicant must be able to show proof of a connection to vocational education and training (to the training provider). The proposed solution must be suitable for use in this segment. The company’s product or solution may of course be sold to other customer groups too.

Applicants are required to describe the social and economic impact of the solution they offer and the funding applied for. If necessary, the promised impact and effectiveness may be further elaborated during the application processing stage.

For an application to be accepted, a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of the proposed solution or service and the related indicators is essential.

Oppiva Invest aims to build and contribute to the creation of an optimally functional ecosystem. This means encouraging networking between education and training providers, solution providers and other service providers, as well as other relevant parties with an established presence in the sector.

Companies are free to use the capital loan granted by Oppiva Invest for investments, as working capital, or for marketing.In their funding applications, companies are required to describe how they plan to use the funding provided. These plans will be discussed in the loan negotiations.

As a public funding provider (cf. Business Finland and Finnvera), we are required to observe certain conditions and criteria (e.g. criteria for effective support, consideration of state aid issues) regarding the companies to be financed. Some of the criteria follow standard banking principles, which focus on the creditworthiness of companies. The assessment consists of relative and quality-based components. The applicants are also compared with each other.

We understand that the circumstances of growth companies in particular may evolve and change quickly.We encourage companies to submit a funding application to start discussions with Oppiva Invest.If the company is currently unable to meet the specified minimum criteria, we can still discuss further actions and move on to the next application round once the criteria are met.

We expect applicants to have one or more co-financing providers.As a starting point, we recommend having one co-financier in addition to Oppiva Invest, with a 50-50 split between their contributions. Funding provided by Oppiva Invest is always paid out in two instalments.

Oppiva Invest does not specify who the other financing providers should be; typically, such providers include owners, investors and banks. Before Oppiva Invest can make a conditional decision on granting a capital loan, the applicant must at least be able to name the other financiers and their funding shares. Negotiations should be nearly completed and the time frame established. Applicants must have a firm decision on other sources of financing and the related conditions before they withdraw the loan.

Oppiva Invest keeps track of the companies it finances and their financial performance.When the capital loan agreement is signed, the parties agree on the key performance indicators to be tracked and the tracking frequency. Typically, companies are expected to provide quarterly or semiannual reports on their performance.

The parties negotiate and agree on loan terms before the decision-making stage.A payment schedule will be drawn up and an interest rate determined upon loan withdrawal.Finnish law contains provisions on interest and the repayment of the loan principal (Limited Liability Companies Act, chapter 12).

The typical loan term is assumed to be five years, and loan repayment holidays are possible in the beginning. The loan term may be shorter, such as three years for smaller loans.

The interest rate is based on the company’s commercial risk rating and a risk classification carried out by Oppiva Invest. The maturity of the loan also affects its price. The interest rate is likely to be between 6 and 12 per cent. The interest rate on the loan is fixed.

A processing fee of 2 per cent will be charged upon first withdrawal.

Separate fees may be charged for any changes made to the repayment schedule while the agreement is in effect.No separate fees will be charged for early repayment of the loan.

Interest payment and repayment of principal requires sufficient unrestricted equity.A so-called notice of available funds will be given annually based on adopted financial statements.

Yes, the company is allowed to decide when it wants to withdraw the loan. During loan negotiations, we discuss the loan withdrawal plan with the company.

No, you do not have to accept funding granted to you. The funding offer is in effect for one to three months after the decision has been made.