Project description

Project timeline: 1.6.2025-31.5.2028

Many small and medium-sized enterprises in the Baltic Sea region have the potential for international growth, but they often lack the networks, market knowledge, and support needed to reach distant markets. The Leap4Growth project was created to address this challenge. The project aims to help SMEs identify and unlock business opportunities in two promising Southeast Asian markets: Vietnam and the Greater Bay Area, which can be accessed through Hong Kong. These regions demonstrate strong demand for innovation, particularly in green technology, health technology, and digitalisation—precisely the sectors in which companies from the Baltic Sea region excel.

Through mentoring, targeted market insights, and delegation trips, the Leap4Growth project supports SMEs in taking concrete steps toward export and international growth. The project builds on the experiences of the previous, successful Bridging4Growth initiative, applying its operating model while focusing on new, strategically important markets.

Expected results

The Leap4Growth project supports a total of 100 SMEs from Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and Latvia by providing tailored tools and measures that help companies prepare for export. The project aims to

• achieve at least 20 concrete business partnerships in Southeast Asia, and

• strengthen the international expertise and networks of the participating companies in a long-term way.

Through cross-border collaboration, the project builds stronger export ecosystems and cooperation between the Baltic Sea region countries. Leap4Growth enhances the global competitiveness of the region’s SMEs and supports more interconnected and sustainable innovation activities.