Rahoitushaut

Rahoitushaut refer to a company’s successive rounds of external financing aimed at supporting growth, product development, or working capital. In practice, they commonly include seed rounds and later-stage rounds such as Series A, Series B, and subsequent financings. The instruments used can be new equity, preferred shares, or convertible instruments like convertible notes or SAFEs. Participants typically include venture capital funds, angel investors, private equity, strategic investors, banks, and public funding bodies. In Finland, public sources of funding may complement private investment, for example through government agencies or EU-backed programs.

The financing process usually begins with refining the business plan, financial projections, and valuation, followed by outreach to potential investors. After initial interest, due diligence is conducted and term sheets are negotiated, detailing ownership, control rights, liquidation preferences, and other governance terms. Closing a round updates the company’s cap table and may alter board representation. Proceeds from rahoitushaut are intended to accelerate milestones such as product development, market expansion, hiring, and working capital management. The need for additional rounds is often driven by traction, milestones, or new strategic opportunities, and each round typically leads to some ownership dilution for existing shareholders.

Public and European funding can influence rahoitushaut by providing non-dilutive grants or loan finance, potentially improving terms for private investors. Risks include overvaluation, excessive dilution, misalignment of growth strategy, and dependence on favorable market conditions or investor sentiment.

See also: venture capital, seed funding, Series A, convertible debt, crowdfunding.