AI-assisted growth of SMEs

We discover and execute AI-enabled growth opportunities for SMEs

Duration of the project

1.5.2025 – 31.10.2028

Source of funding

Business Finland

Total funding

360 000 €

The AI-assisted SME growth project supports Finnish SMEs in using AI to boost business growth. The project combines research, business-driven development and practical experimentation to bring the benefits of AI solutions to everyday operations. The aim is to help SMEs strengthen their competitiveness, grow profitably and also build a foundation for international growth.

Background

Finnish SMEs face many challenges in their growth, such as limited resources, lack of talent, administrative burdens and a small domestic market. At the same time, the rapid development of artificial intelligence offers new opportunities to improve efficiency, make use of data and develop customer-oriented solutions. However, for many SMEs, AI adoption is difficult: skills, time and financial resources are not always sufficient beyond piloting. The project addresses this challenge by bringing AI into the concrete growth work of SMEs.

Key content

The project will gather and structure information on how AI can be used at different stages of SME growth. It focuses on the real needs and business bottlenecks of companies. The project will look at the application of AI in areas such as marketing, sales, customer service, knowledge management, process automation and business model development. By combining research and practical experience from companies, a complete picture of what solutions work and what investments are required will emerge.

Objectives

The aim of the project is to help SMEs identify their own growth opportunities and use AI in a cost-effective and appropriate way. They will be empowered to become more systematic, data-driven and customer-centric. In the long term, the project will contribute to increasing turnover, strengthening competitiveness, developing skills and internationalisation, and promoting a renewed business culture.

Implementation

The project is implemented in close cooperation between the expert teams of Turku University of Applied Sciences and the participating companies. The work will progress from literature reviews and surveys to company-specific growth surveys, concrete development activities and experiments. The key outcome of the project will be an online “cookbook” on AI-driven growth for SMEs, bringing together lessons, approaches and practical examples for use by the wider business community.