Finnvera’s Fast Track simplifies franchise finance applications

Finnvera is introducing Pikakaista (Fast Track), a service model based on automated decision-making. Its first product is a loan guarantee for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that have been trading for more than three years. The reform also brings a separate change for Finland’s franchise sector: franchise networks will no longer be asked to submit a basic information form when financing applications are processed. The changes were reported in Franchise News on 28 September 2026.

An automated decision on the lender’s application

Under the Fast Track model, Finnvera makes its guarantee decision according to predefined rules, without a separate review by a specialist. When a lender submits an application, it receives an immediate decision. This quickly tells the business whether Finnvera’s guarantee can support financing for its planned project.

However, an automated guarantee decision does not mean that a single online application replaces the entire loan process. The lender makes its own lending decision before applying for the guarantee. If Finnvera approves the application, the lender finalises the loan process with the business. The faster turnaround therefore applies specifically to Finnvera’s guarantee decision within the wider financing process.

For the business, the process is handled through its own lender. It does not need to submit a separate guarantee application to Finnvera or contact Finnvera during the application stage. The service model thus combines an application submitted through the lender with an automated guarantee decision.

Franchisees should distinguish between these two decisions when planning their project timetable. An immediate guarantee decision is not a promise that the loan funds will be available immediately. The business and lender must still finalise the loan process after the guarantee has been approved.

Basic information form dropped for franchise networks

For franchise projects, the reform goes beyond automated decision-making. Finnvera has also changed the way it handles financing applications involving franchise networks. One practical change is the removal of the basic information form previously requested from networks.

“Alongside the automated decision-making process, we also adapted the way we handle franchise projects. We will no longer ask networks for a basic information form, so that aspect of the financing process has also become more straightforward,” Mikko Kaminen, the regional manager responsible for Finnvera’s cooperation with franchise networks, told Franchise News.

For Finland’s franchise sector, this is the part of the reform that specifically concerns networks. The automated guarantee model serves SMEs more broadly, whereas the change to the basic information form relates specifically to the handling of franchise projects. The stage involving a form submitted by the network will no longer be required.

Removing the form should not, however, be taken to mean that other financing requirements have been dropped. Fast Track’s first guarantee product has its own limits on business age, the use of funds, guarantee amounts and loan terms. The lender is responsible for assessing whether the product meets the business’s needs and for making the lending decision.

A guarantee for investment and business acquisitions

The loan guarantee (Fast Track) is intended for SMEs that have been trading for more than three years. This age requirement is also important for franchisees: the product is not designed to provide start-up finance for newly established businesses. Eligibility therefore depends in part on how long the business applying for finance has been operating.

The guarantee can be used for investment in Finland, working capital, product development projects and business acquisitions. These uses cover several financing needs of established businesses. Franchisees must nevertheless discuss their own project with their lender to establish whether this particular guarantee product suits their plans.

Finnvera’s guarantee can cover up to 80 per cent of the loan amount. An individual guarantee can range from €10,000 to €200,000. The total value of loan guarantees (Fast Track) granted to a single business cannot exceed €300,000. The limit on an individual guarantee and the overall limit per business are therefore separate restrictions.

No new specific collateral is required for the guarantee, and Finnvera does not require the business to contribute its own funds. These conditions apply to Finnvera’s guarantee; the loan itself is agreed with the lender as part of the financing process. Business owners should therefore discuss the guarantee terms and the terms of the underlying loan separately during financing negotiations.

The guaranteed loan can have a term of up to eight years. A repayment holiday of up to two years, during which no principal repayments are due, may also be agreed at the start of the loan. Both are maximum limits, not terms or repayment holidays automatically available to every applicant.

Applications start with your own lender

Fast Track is not an application that a business submits directly to Finnvera. The first step is to contact its own lender. Only lenders that have signed a cooperation agreement with Finnvera covering the use of Fast Track can apply for the guarantee.

If the product meets the business’s needs, the lender makes its lending decision and applies for the guarantee online. Finnvera then issues its automated decision immediately. Once approval has been received, the lender finalises the loan process with the business.

For franchisees, the sequence is therefore clear: first establish whether your lender can use Fast Track, then check whether the product is suitable for your business and project. Removing the network’s basic information form simplifies the handling of franchise projects, but does not change the fact that financing starts with an assessment of the business’s needs and the lending decision.

Practical checklist: ask your lender whether it uses Fast Track, and check the minimum business age, the intended use of the funds and the guarantee amount required before starting the application process.